U.S. Global Investors Transitions GOAU ETF to Active Management Amid Record Gold Prices
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 30 2025
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Should l Buy GROW?
Source: Globenewswire
- Record Gold Prices: On December 22, 2025, spot gold prices reached $4,421 per ounce, driving a surge in investor interest in gold and precious metals miners, prompting U.S. Global Investors to transition the GOAU ETF from passive indexing to active management for enhanced flexibility and selectivity.
- Active Management Strategy: The GOAU ETF will continue to apply the Smart Beta 2.0 investment framework while shifting to an actively managed strategy, maintaining its fund name, ticker, and expense ratio, thereby providing superior mining investment options in terms of risk management and opportunity capture.
- WAR ETF Anniversary: The U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) celebrates its first anniversary, focusing on defense spending and AI, utilizing a Smart Beta 2.0 strategy combined with fundamental analysis to capture long-term growth opportunities in the global defense sector.
- Commitment to High-Conviction Sectors: These milestones reflect U.S. Global Investors' ongoing commitment to thematic investments and high-conviction market areas, aiming to deliver innovative Smart Beta 2.0 strategies that provide differentiated investment opportunities and create long-term value for shareholders.
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Analyst Views on GROW
About GROW
U.S. Global Investors, Inc. is an investment adviser. The Company offers exchange traded funds (ETFs) in addition to mutual funds. The Company, with principal operations located in San Antonio, Texas, manages two business segments: Investment Management Services and Corporate Investments. Investment Management Services, through which the Company offers, to U.S. Global Investors Funds (USGIF) and exchange-traded fund (ETF) clients, a range of investment management products and services to meet the needs of individual and institutional investors. Corporate Investments, through which the Company invests for its own account. In particular, the Company is known for its expertise in gold mining and exploration, natural resources, and airlines. It provides investment advisory services and administrative services to mutual funds. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include U.S. Global Investors (Bermuda) Limited, U.S. Global Investors (Canada) Limited and U.S. Global Indices, LLC.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Revenue Growth: U.S. Global Investors reported Q2 revenue of $2.5 million, reflecting significant growth compared to the same period last year, which is expected to further boost investor confidence in the firm.
- Increase in AUM: Total assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $1.5 billion at quarter-end, representing a 12% increase from the previous quarter and a 5% increase year-over-year, indicating the company's sustained competitive strength in the market.
- Expense Reduction: The company reduced expenses by $172,000 compared to the same quarter last year, demonstrating positive progress in cost control, which enhances overall profitability.
- Improved Pre-Tax Income: The company reported pre-tax income of $535,000, a significant turnaround from a pre-tax loss of $116,000 in the same quarter last year, showcasing improved operational efficiency and recovery in profitability.
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- Asset Management Growth: As of December 31, 2025, the company's total assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $1.5 billion, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous quarter and a 5% year-over-year growth, indicating robust market positioning and growth potential.
- Revenue and Expense Improvement: Operating revenue rose by $259,000, or 11.5%, while expenses decreased by $172,000, showcasing effective strategies in cost control and revenue enhancement, which significantly improved overall profitability.
- Shareholder Return Initiatives: The company's shareholder yield stood at 9.89% as of December 31, 2025, more than double the yields of five-year and ten-year Treasury bonds, with the Board approving a monthly dividend of $0.0075 per share, thereby boosting shareholder confidence.
- Record Gold Demand: In 2025, global gold demand exceeded 5,000 tons for the first time, with an annual value of approximately $555 billion, up 45% year-over-year, reflecting strong investor interest in gold as a safe haven amid macroeconomic uncertainties, thereby enhancing the company's strategic position in precious metals investments.
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Total Assets Under Management: U.S. global investors reported total assets under management of approximately $1.5 billion at the end of the quarter.
Market Overview: The report highlights the current state of investment management and the performance of various asset classes.
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- Earnings Webcast: U.S. Global Investors, Inc. will host a webcast on February 23, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. Central time to discuss its Q2 fiscal year 2026 results, with financial data to be released beforehand, aiming to provide investors with transparent insights and a detailed analysis of the company's performance.
- Executive Participation: CEO and Chief Investment Officer Frank Holmes, CFO Lisa Callicotte, and Marketing Director Holly Schoenfeldt will participate in the webcast, demonstrating the leadership's commitment to financial performance and enhancing communication with investors.
- Company Background: Founded over 50 years ago as an investment club, U.S. Global Investors has evolved into a registered investment adviser focusing on niche markets globally, showcasing its deep expertise and professional capabilities in investment management.
- Headquarters Location: Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the company provides investment management and other services to U.S. Global Investors Funds and U.S. Global ETFs, reflecting its strategic positioning and influence in the U.S. market.
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- Market Trends: The stock market is experiencing growth this year, driven by the transportation sector, including planes, trains, automobiles, trucks, railroads, and boats.
- Cultural Reference: The title "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" references a classic 1980s comedy, highlighting the intersection of entertainment and economic themes.
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- Record Gold Prices: On December 22, 2025, spot gold prices reached $4,421 per ounce, significantly increasing investor interest in gold and precious metals mining, prompting U.S. Global Investors to transition the GOAU ETF from passive indexing to active management to enhance flexibility and selectivity.
- Active Management Strategy: The transition of the GOAU ETF will retain its fund name, ticker, and expense ratio while continuing to apply the Smart Beta 2.0 investment framework, enabling the company to better identify quality mining firms and manage risks, which is expected to yield higher returns for shareholders.
- WAR ETF Anniversary: The U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) celebrates its first anniversary, utilizing a Smart Beta 2.0 strategy to focus on high-quality companies in defense and technology, reflecting long-term trends in the modernization of global defense infrastructure.
- Ongoing Commitment to Innovation: These milestones reflect U.S. Global Investors' continued commitment to thematic and high-conviction sectors, aiming to provide investors with differentiated investment opportunities across gold, defense, and technology markets.
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