US Global GO GOLD and Prec Mtl Mnrs ETF retains its Morningstar Medalist Rating of Bronze. The portfolio maintains a sizable cost advantage over competitors, priced within the cheapest fee quintile among peers.  

 The strategy's investment process inspires confidence and earns an Above Average Process Pillar rating. Independent of the rating, analysis of the strategy's portfolio shows it has maintained a significant overweight position in quality exposure and an underweight in volatility exposure compared with category peers. High quality exposure is attributed to stocks with low financial leverage and strong returns on equity. And low volatility exposure is rooted in stocks that have a lower standard deviation of returns. The team managing this passive strategy earns a Below Average People Pillar rating. The strategy's parent organization still has a way to go to reach the industry standard, evidenced by an unfavorable success ratio across its lineup and a poor risk-adjusted track record. As a result, the firm obtains a Below Average Parent Pillar rating.

Analyst Rating

Wheaton Precious Metals

Royal Gold

Franco-Nevada C

Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp

Sandstorm Gold

SilverCrest Metals Inc

Carlyle Group

Osisko Gold Royalties

Silvercorp Metals

New Gold

Morningstar's evaluation of this security's process aims to determine the likelihood that it will outperform its Morningstar Category benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis over the long term. US Global GO GOLD and Prec Mtl Mnrs ETF earns an Above Average Process Pillar rating. The largest contributor to the rating is the fund's strong long-term risk-adjusted performance. This can be seen in its five-year alpha calculated relative to the category index, which suggests that the process was successful over that period. This fund tracks an index, which also increases its process rating. Historical data, such as Morningstar's Active/Passive Barometer, shows that passively managed funds have generally outperformed their active counterparts, especially over longer time horizons. Lastly, the process is limited by the parent firm's five-year risk-adjusted success ratio of 0%. The measure indicates the percentage of a firm's funds that survived and beat their respective category's median Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return for the period. The parent's relatively low success ratio suggests that the firm could do better across its fund lineup.

The investment strategy as stated in the fund's prospectus is:  The investment seeks to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the U.S. Global Go Gold and Precious Metal Miners Index.  Under normal circumstances, and the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in Precious Metals Companies and at least 20% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in Precious Metals Companies that primarily derive their revenue from gold. The index is composed of the exchange-listed common stock (or American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs")) of U.S. and international (including emerging markets) companies that earn at least 50 percent of their aggregate revenue from precious metals. The fund is non-diversified. 

 The portfolio has allocations in its top two sectors, basic materials and technology, that are similar to the category. The sectors with low exposure compared to category peers are utilities and financial services; however, the allocations are similar to the category. The portfolio is positioned across 32 holdings and is quite concentrated. Specifically, 59.6% of the fund’s assets are housed within the top 10 holdings, versus the typical peer's 36.3%. And in closing, in terms of portfolio turnover, looking at year-over-year movements, 79% of the fund's holdings have changed, whether through increasing, decreasing, or changing a position.

Above Average

Process

U.S. Global Investors’s team receives a Below Average People Pillar rating. The team benefits from the portfolio managers' outperformance of peers at the funds they run, as measured by their combined three-year manager excess returns. However, the rating is limited by the parent firm's five-year success ratio of 25%. The measure indicates the percentage of a firm's funds that survived and beat their respective category's median return for the period. The parent's relatively low success ratio suggests that the firm could do better across its fund lineup. The parent firm's five-year retention rate of 75% also holds the rating back.

Below Average

People

U.S. Global Investors has a ways to go to become an industry-standard steward, resulting in a Below Average Parent Pillar rating. U.S. Global Investors has not had a durable product lineup. Looking at the firm's 10-year risk-adjusted success ratio, only 17% of its products both survived and beat their respective category median on a risk-adjusted basis. A low success ratio not only indicates weak performance but also raises flags about a firm’s discipline around investment strategy and product development. In terms of risk-adjusted performance, the U.S. Global Investors open-end and exchange-traded funds fall short of competitors, with an average overall Morningstar Rating of 2.1 stars. The firm charges fees on its open-end and exchange-traded funds that are on par with category peers. On average, fees on its funds are within the middle quintile, giving it neither an advantage nor disadvantage compared with the competition.

Parent

U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF

GOAU tracks an index of 28 precious metal mining firms listed in the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong or South Africa. Holdings are selected by fundamental factors and weighted in fixed tiers.

Exchange traded funds have helped investors gain exposure to gold markets and various other segments related to the precious metal. “You can also focus on the miners, which is where U.S.

Consider a Miners ETF to Capture Moves in Gold

VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF

SPDR Gold Trust

Kinross Gold

iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF

Sprott Gold Miners ETF

Gold mining stocks reported mixed-to-upbeat earnings results and benefited these miners' ETFs.

Gold Mining Q1 Earnings Mixed: ETFs Gain on Fundamentals

Alerian MLP ETF

ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN

InfraCap MLP

Principal Healthcare Innovators Index ETF

First Trust Natural Gas ETF

Gilead Sciences

Global X Gold Explorers ETF

Amplify Online Retail ETF

Global X MLP ETF

ON Semiconductor

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF

These ETF areas showered gains in the lockdown-infected April.

5 Top-Performing ETF Areas of April That Are Up At Least 25%

With gold prices on a seemingly undaunted path higher, gold miners are getting in on the act. With that in mind, investors may want to evaluate ETFs such as the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GOAU).

Get in on Gold Miners With This ETF

As investors consider ways to enhance an investment portfolio, many are looking to the potential benefits of holding a gold-related ETF and how it can fit into a diversified portfolio.

Investors May Find a Golden Opportunity in Gold Miner ETFs

Gold had a stellar 2019 – thanks to geopolitical risks and strong central bank buying. Since 2010, central banks have been net buyers of gold, with especially strong buying the past two years, demonstrating the metal as a store of value.

Outlook for Gold: What’s Ahead for 2020

ASA Gold and Precious Metals Ltd

Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares

ProShares UltraShort Gold Miners

ProShares Ultra Gold Miners

GAMCO Global Gold. Natural Resources & Income Trust

Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares

Gold Stocks Still Stalled

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF

Global X MSCI China Consumer Staples ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

Market Vectors-Indian Rupee/USD ETN

Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF 

Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF

Invesco Dynamic Semiconductors ETF

Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF

VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF

iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF

Invesco Solar ETF

SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF

As 2019 comes to a close, it’s time to take one more look at the best-performing ETFs. Based on this list, it’s clear that semiconductor, precious metals, and energy industries have all benefited greatly from yet another terrific year.

15 Best Performing ETFs of 2019

Defiance Quantum ETF

These smart-beta ETFs beat the broader market with ease in 2019.

5 Market-Beating Smart-Beta ETF Charts of 2019

With just two trading days left in 2019, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, the world's largest exchange traded fund, is higher by 29.19% this year, meaning the S&P 500 is on pace for its best annual performance since 1997.

5 Best ETFs Of 2019

iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund

As there have been winners in many corners of the space, we highlight nine ETFs from different zones that have outperformed so far this year. These are expected to continue outperforming, provided the fundamentals remain intact.

9 ETFs at the Forefront of 2019 Market Rally

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

Aberdeen Standard Physical Platinum Shares ETF

Barclays Inverse US Treasury Composite ETN

The broader market was upbeat last week as stocks continued to notch up gains.

Top and Flop ETFs of Last Week (Nov 11)

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF

SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF

Global X Internet of Things ETF

Since the start of the fourth quarter, Wall Street is witnessing new highs on the back of a better-than-expected earnings season, easing policies and trade deal optimism.

9 High-Flying ETFs of 2019

When considering the benefits of investing in gold, investors can turn to an ETF strategy that incorporates royalty and streaming companies, which many consider to be the “smart money” of the space. In the recent webcast, Markets Got You Spooked?

Why Investors Should Consider a Smart Gold Miner ETF

Global economic and geopolitical concerns could continue to fuel market volatility, and some investors are seeking ways to mitigate the swings and better manage risks. Historically gold has exhibited a low correlation to the stock market and is often perceived as a safe haven asset.

Markets Got You Spooked? Consider Gold for Stability

We study the impact of rising geopolitical tensions and slowing global growth on the demand for bullion-backed ETFs.

Gold Mining ETFs on a Tear: Here's Why

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund

While many corners of the equity world witnessed a solid run, a few sector ETFs performed incredibly well, thereby comfortably crushing the broader markets.

4 Market-Beating Sector ETFs of the Third Quarter

ETF Trends CEO Tom Lydon discussed the US Global GO Gold and Precious (GOAU) on this week’s “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe on the MoneyLife Show. GOAU provides investors access to companies engaged in the production of precious metals either through active (mining or production) or passive (owning royalties or production streams) means.

ETF of the Week: US Global GO Gold and Precious (GOAU)

Taking another look at the consistently good numbers regarding gold means seeing things from multiple glistening angles.

How Gold Mining ETF ‘GOAU’ Cracked Through to the Top

Trade has played foul on Wall Street throughout August, sending the broad indices into a tailspin, thus compelling investors to flock to gold as a great store of value and hedge against market turmoil.

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Global X MSCI Argentina ETF

Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF

Global X Copper Miners ETF

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF

Many corners of the market have seen rough trading while a few still stand tall so far in the third quarter.

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This gold mining ETF hits a new 52-week high. Are more gains in store for this ETF?

Gold Mining ETF (GOAU) Hits New 52-Week High

Alamos Gold

SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust

Harmony Gold Mining Co Ltd

iShares Gold Trust

Given the optimism and intense buying pressure on gold, investors have a long list of options, in both the ETF & stock world, to tap the metal's rally.

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Anglogold Ashanti Plc

Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF

As the Fed indicated the possibility of a rate cut this year, the U.S. dollar slumped and gold mining ETFs rallied.

News for U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF ETF (GOAU)