PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
AU vs. IAU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AU vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AU (AngloGold Ashanti Limited) is a stock, while IAU (iShares Gold Trust) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Over the past 10 years, AU returned 20.46%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for IAU. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AU vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AU achieves a 4.15% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.44% return. Over the past 10 years, AU has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 20.46%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.31% annualized return.

AU

1D
3.75%
1M
-14.67%
YTD
4.15%
6M
7.11%
1Y
86.54%
3Y*
58.20%
5Y*
35.46%
10Y*
20.46%

IAU

1D
0.08%
1M
-10.21%
YTD
-2.44%
6M
-2.22%
1Y
23.95%
3Y*
29.07%
5Y*
17.23%
10Y*
12.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AU vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AU
AngloGold Ashanti Limited		4.15%288.18%25.43%-2.68%-5.09%-4.87%1.90%78.89%23.96%-2.23%
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		-2.44%63.95%26.85%12.84%-0.63%-4.00%25.03%17.98%-1.76%12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between AU and IAU is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.71

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.72

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.70

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.68

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2005

0.64

The correlation between AU and IAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

AngloGold Ashanti Limited

iShares Gold Trust

Often compared with AU:
AU vs. GFIAU vs. NEMAU vs. VOOAU vs. CDEAU vs. GEVAU vs. SPYAU vs. BTC-USD
Often compared with IAU:
IAU vs. GLDIAU vs. GLDMIAU vs. IAUMIAU vs. SGOLIAU vs. GDXIAU vs. VOOIAU vs. PHYS

Return for Risk

AU vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AU
AU Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
AU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
AU Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
AU Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
AU Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
IAU
IAU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AU vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AUIAUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.50
0.89

+0.61

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.95
1.25

+0.71

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.19

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.35

0.99

+1.36

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.18

2.83

+3.35

AU vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AU Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AU and IAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

AU vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AU drawdown since its inception was -90.12%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AU and IAU.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

AUIAUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-90.12%

-45.14%

-44.98%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-37.03%

-24.40%

-12.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-38.71%

-24.40%

-14.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-51.75%

-24.40%

-27.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-67.91%

-24.40%

-43.51%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-30.75%

-22.03%

-8.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-46.07%

-15.97%

-30.10%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.04%

8.47%

+5.57%

Volatility

AU vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) has a higher volatility of 21.02% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 7.70%. This indicates that AU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

AUIAUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

21.02%

7.70%

+13.32%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

46.50%

23.94%

+22.56%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

58.45%

27.17%

+31.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

49.13%

18.16%

+30.97%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

49.79%

16.02%

+33.77%

Dividends

AU vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

AU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.33%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM202520242023202220212020201920182017
AU
AngloGold Ashanti Limited		5.33%2.96%1.78%1.14%2.26%2.58%0.49%0.30%0.48%0.93%
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

AU and IAU have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AU has higher volatility (21.02%) compared to IAU (7.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AU dropped -90.12% vs IAU's -45.14%.

AU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.89), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for AU and IAU

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer