AEM vs RGLD: which was the better investment?
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited against Royal Gold, Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 9, 1981 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AEM beat RGLD?
No — measured from Jun 9, 1981 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, RGLD came out ahead: $904,027 versus $233,492 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.5% annual return against 7.2%.
What would $10,000 in AEM be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) on Jun 9, 1981 would be worth about $233,492 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 2234.9% (7.2% per year). The same $10,000 in RGLD would be worth $904,027.
Which was riskier — AEM or RGLD?
AEM swung with an annualized volatility of 47.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -90.9%; RGLD ran at 86.2% volatility with a -99.8% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.11 for AEM vs 0.10 for RGLD.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 9, 1981 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AEM vs RGLD. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.