AU vs. RGLD: AngloGold Ashanti vs. Royal Gold Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD) are both classified in the Gold sub-industry within the broader Metals & Mining industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Profile Item	AU	RGLD
Name	AngloGold Ashanti plc	Royal Gold, Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry Group	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Metals & Mining	Metals & Mining
GICS Sub-Industry	Gold	Gold
Market Capitalization	47.04 billion USD	22.47 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	Nasdaq
Listing Date	August 5, 1998	June 9, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

RGLD

GSPC

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

Loading price history…

Trailing total returns for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…

Calendar-year total returns for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Total Return (1Y)	47.97%	60.60%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	87.34%	39.65%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	42.76%	23.26%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

RGLD

GSPC

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

Loading price history…

Distribution of monthly total returns for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	60.11%	41.91%
Beta (5Y)	0.67	0.39
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-51.75%	-40.73%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.54M	667.01K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AU and RGLD are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.73	1.34
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.07	2.00

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 44.33% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Royal Gold (RGLD) at 15.03% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for AU.

AU

Materials industry group

44.33%

Max: 52.88%
AU: 44.33%
Q3: 19.49%
Median: 8.76%
Q1: -3.41%
Min: -32.81%

RGLD

Materials industry group

15.03%

Max: 52.88%
Q3: 19.49%
RGLD: 15.03%
Median: 8.76%
Q1: -3.41%
Min: -32.81%

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their ROE against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Royal Gold (RGLD) at 47.99% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 32.64% also retains a top-quartile share.

AU

Materials industry group

32.64%

Max: 38.66%
AU: 32.64%
Q3: 15.98%
Median: 5.28%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -20.40%

RGLD

Materials industry group

47.99%

RGLD: 47.99%
Max: 38.66%
Q3: 15.98%
Median: 5.28%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -20.40%

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their net margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 45.36% and Royal Gold (RGLD) at 65.85% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

AU

Materials industry group

45.36%

Max: 66.70%
AU: 45.36%
Q3: 28.92%
Median: 12.56%
Q1: 3.28%
Min: -14.07%

RGLD

Materials industry group

65.85%

Max: 66.70%
RGLD: 65.85%
Q3: 28.92%
Median: 12.56%
Q1: 3.28%
Min: -14.07%

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their operating margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
ROE (TTM)	44.33%	15.03%
ROA (TTM)	24.39%	9.97%
Net Margin (TTM)	32.64%	47.99%
Operating Margin (TTM)	45.36%	65.85%
Gross Margin (TTM)	54.84%	86.63%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 70.78% and Royal Gold (RGLD) at 43.24% sit in the top peer quartile for revenue growth, so each is growing its top line faster than typical industry peers.

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 122.32% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Royal Gold (RGLD) at 32.74% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for AU.

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Revenue Growth (YoY)	70.78%	43.24%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	30.02%	19.54%
EPS Growth (YoY)	122.32%	32.74%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	93.95%	22.60%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 2.55 and Royal Gold (RGLD) at 2.40 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

AU

Materials industry group

2.55

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.30
AU: 2.55
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.45
Min: 0.16

RGLD

Materials industry group

2.40

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.30
RGLD: 2.40
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.45
Min: 0.16

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their current ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Royal Gold (RGLD) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 0.16 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

AU

Materials industry group

0.16

Max: 1.98
Q3: 0.89
Median: 0.47
AU: 0.16
Q1: 0.13
Min: 0.00

RGLD

Materials industry group

0.02

Max: 1.98
Q3: 0.89
Median: 0.47
Q1: 0.13
RGLD: 0.02
Min: 0.00

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.55	2.40
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.16	0.02
Net Debt / EBITDA	-0.17	-0.03

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Royal Gold (RGLD) at 0.74% pays an industry-typical yield; AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 4.88% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.

AU

Materials industry group

4.88%

AU: 4.88%
Max: 4.52%
Q3: 1.85%
Median: 0.38%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

RGLD

Materials industry group

0.74%

Max: 4.52%
Q3: 1.85%
RGLD: 0.74%
Median: 0.38%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Royal Gold (RGLD) at 19.41% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 58.78% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

AU

Materials industry group

58.78%

Max: 83.62%
AU: 58.78%
Q3: 41.37%
Median: 9.54%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

RGLD

Materials industry group

19.41%

Max: 83.62%
Q3: 41.37%
RGLD: 19.41%
Median: 9.54%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
Dividend Yield (TTM)	4.88%	0.74%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	58.78%	19.41%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 12.09 and Royal Gold (RGLD) at 27.15 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

AU

Materials industry group

12.09

Max: 59.00
Q3: 32.93
Median: 18.82
AU: 12.09
Q1: 11.96
Min: 3.93

RGLD

Materials industry group

27.15

Max: 59.00
Q3: 32.93
RGLD: 27.15
Median: 18.82
Q1: 11.96
Min: 3.93

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 3.91 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Royal Gold (RGLD) at 12.86 clears its benchmark range — RGLD looks notably rich on sales.

AU

Materials industry group

3.91

Max: 9.62
Q3: 4.34
AU: 3.91
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.00

RGLD

Materials industry group

12.86

RGLD: 12.86
Max: 9.62
Q3: 4.34
Median: 1.87
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.00

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Royal Gold (RGLD) at 2.91 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while AngloGold Ashanti (AU) at 5.01 carries an above-peer premium to book — AU is pricier on assets.

AU

Materials industry group

5.01

Max: 6.59
AU: 5.01
Q3: 3.55
Median: 2.08
Q1: 1.26
Min: -0.17

RGLD

Materials industry group

2.91

Max: 6.59
Q3: 3.55
RGLD: 2.91
Median: 2.08
Q1: 1.26
Min: -0.17

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) vs. Royal Gold (RGLD): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AngloGold Ashanti (AU) and Royal Gold (RGLD)
Metric	AU	RGLD
P/E Ratio (TTM)	12.09	27.15
P/S Ratio (TTM)	3.91	12.86
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	5.01	2.91
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	7.61%	4.24%