BGRO vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BGRO (BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. BGRO is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. Over the past year, BGRO returned 24.69% vs 32.47% for IAU. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BGRO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

BGRO vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF (BGRO) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BGRO achieves a 13.75% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return.

BGRO

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 7.41%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.14%
• 1Y: 24.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.39%
• 5Y*: 18.52%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BGRO vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BGRO BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF	13.75%	12.37%	10.92%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	63.95%	11.28%

Correlation

The correlation between BGRO and IAU is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2024	0.09

BGRO vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BGRO	IAU
Technology	50.8%	-
Industrials	13.8%	-
Communication Services	11.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	-
Healthcare	5.3%	-
Real Estate	3.3%	100.0%
Financial Services	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	-
Energy	0.9%	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BGRO vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BGRO

BGRO Risk / Return Rank: 35
BGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
BGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 37
BGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
BGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

BGRO vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF (BGRO) 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.

	BGRO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.24	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.63	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.25	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	1.70	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.71	4.18	+0.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BGRO vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGRO 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BGRO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.24	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.63	+0.19

Drawdowns

BGRO vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGRO drawdown since its inception was -24.94%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGRO and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGRO	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.94%	-45.14%	+20.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.64%	-19.18%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.02%	-17.02%	+15.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.75%	-15.96%	+11.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.26%	7.79%	-2.53%

Volatility

BGRO vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF (BGRO) is 4.93%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that BGRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BGRO	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	5.50%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.23%	23.03%	-8.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	26.41%	-8.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.54%	17.94%	+5.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.54%	15.90%	+7.64%

BGRO vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGRO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGRO vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

BGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BGRO BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF	0.03%	0.04%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BGRO and IAU in my portfolio?

BGRO and IAU have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BGRO or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to BGRO (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGRO dropped -24.94% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, BGRO or IAU?

On 1-year performance, IAU leads with 32.47% vs 24.69% for BGRO. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BGRO has been the lower-risk option at 4.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BGRO or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, IAU has performed better with a 32.47% return vs 24.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BGRO or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BGRO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BGRO or IAU?

BGRO has the higher dividend yield at 0.03%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between BGRO and IAU?

BGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for BGRO and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.24), 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.