BAR vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
BAR and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BAR is a passively managed fund by GraniteShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). It was launched on Aug 31, 2017. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both BAR and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: BAR or IAU.
Key characteristics
| BAR | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 24.57% | 24.49% |
| 1Y Return | 30.73% | 30.69% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 11.12% | 11.06% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 11.72% | 11.74% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.18 | 2.16 |
| Sortino Ratio | 2.91 | 2.88 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.38 | 1.38 |
| Calmar Ratio | 4.17 | 4.13 |
| Martin Ratio | 13.85 | 13.70 |
| Ulcer Index | 2.31% | 2.32% |
| Daily Std Dev | 14.68% | 14.76% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.53% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -7.67% | -7.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between BAR and IAU is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
BAR vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with BAR having a 24.57% return and IAU slightly lower at 24.49%. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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BAR vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BAR has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
BAR vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR) 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.
Dividends
BAR vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
Neither BAR nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
BAR vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BAR drawdown since its inception was -21.53%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAR and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
BAR vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.50% and 5.49%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.