GOAU vs VYM
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GOAU or VYM?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GOAU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $221M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 35 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +16.91%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +44.84%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +49.43%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.09%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,423Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | U.S. Global Investors, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 27, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 28, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
GOAU vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.2 years both funds cover.
GOAU vs VYM Performance
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is an ETF from U.S. Global Investors, Inc. and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GOAU returned +44.84% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GOAU is up 16.91% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GOAU compounded at +49.43% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +24.09% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GOAU has the edge at +18.38% annualized vs +10.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GOAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.8% compared with 14.7% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -52.9% for GOAU and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOAU charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GOAU currently yields 1.09% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.0% of GOAU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings GOAU also owns.
GOAU and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 51 days apart, GOAU as of Aug 20, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 603 in VYM, against full books of 35 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GOAU (97.0% of the fund), and 0 for GOAU that do not appear in VYM (0.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GOAU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 3.00% | 0.41% | 2.59% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GOAU and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GOAU or VYM?
GOAU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GOAU or VYM?
Over the past year GOAU returned +44.84% vs +20.84% for VYM, so GOAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GOAU annualized +18.38% vs +10.26% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOAU or VYM?
GOAU has been the more volatile fund at 36.8% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GOAU -52.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GOAU and VYM?
GOAU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GOAU and VYM?
3.0% of GOAU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's is in holdings GOAU also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GOAU or VYM?
GOAU yields 1.09% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GOAU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.