BGRO vs. IAU
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 16.68% vs 22.05% for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BGRO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
BGRO vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BGRO achieves a 11.37% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -4.82% return.
BGRO
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 2.54%
- 6M
- 9.38%
- YTD
- 11.37%
- 1Y
- 16.68%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- -2.44%
- 6M
- -8.99%
- YTD
- -4.82%
- 1Y
- 22.05%
- 3Y*
- 28.26%
- 5Y*
- 17.54%
- 10Y*
- 11.64%
BGRO vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BGRO BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF | 11.37% | 12.37% | 11.06% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -4.82% | 63.95% | 12.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between BGRO and IAU is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024 | 0.12 |
The correlation between BGRO and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BGRO vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
BGRO
IAU
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.
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.
| BGRO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.18 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.92 | 0.89 | +0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.94 | 2.21 | +0.73 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BGRO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -24.94% | -45.14% | +20.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.64% | -26.17% | +8.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.07% | -23.93% | +19.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.77% | -15.99% | +11.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.53% | 10.54% | -5.01% |
Volatility
BGRO vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF (BGRO) is 6.57%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 8.21%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BGRO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.57% | 8.21% | -1.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.50% | 23.89% | -8.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.26% | 27.58% | -8.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.59% | 18.28% | +5.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.59% | 16.03% | +7.56% |
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
BGRO and IAU have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to BGRO (6.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGRO dropped -24.94% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 1-year performance, IAU leads with 22.05% vs 16.68% for BGRO. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BGRO has been the lower-risk option at 6.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IAU has performed better with a 22.05% return vs 16.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BGRO.
BGRO has the higher dividend yield at 0.03%, compared with 0.00% for 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.
IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs 0.85), 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.
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