EAOA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EAOA (iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EAOA is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EAOA returned 8.52%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EAOA charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EAOA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) 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, EAOA achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

EAOA

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 24.37%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

EAOA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	9.93%	18.41%	13.79%	18.27%	-17.76%	14.52%	19.79%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	10.08%

Correlation

The correlation between EAOA and IAU is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2020	0.23

EAOA vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EAOA	IAU
Technology	28.9%	-
Financial Services	13.5%	-
Industrials	9.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	-
Communication Services	7.3%	-
Healthcare	6.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	-
Energy	3.0%	-
Basic Materials	2.4%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	100.0%

Return for Risk

EAOA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAOA

EAOA Risk / Return Rank: 68
EAOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
EAOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EAOA Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EAOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
EAOA Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
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.

EAOA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) 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.

	EAOA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.23	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	1.62	+1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.24	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.69	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.30	4.19	+9.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAOA vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAOA Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAOA 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

	EAOA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.23	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	1.03	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	0.62	+0.30

Drawdowns

EAOA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAOA drawdown since its inception was -25.06%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAOA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAOA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.06%	-45.14%	+20.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-19.18%	+11.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-19.18%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-20.93%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-17.70%	+16.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-15.96%	+10.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	7.71%	-5.87%

Volatility

EAOA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) is 3.39%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that EAOA 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

	EAOA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	5.50%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.64%	23.02%	-14.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.75%	26.42%	-15.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.25%	17.95%	-4.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.14%	15.90%	-2.76%

EAOA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAOA has a 0.18% 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%.

Dividends

EAOA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EAOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	1.95%	2.10%	2.09%	2.21%	1.93%	1.48%	1.12%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAOA and IAU in my portfolio?

EAOA and IAU have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EAOA or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to EAOA (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAOA dropped -25.06% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EAOA or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 8.52% for EAOA. On fees, EAOA is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, EAOA has been the lower-risk option at 3.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EAOA or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EAOA or IAU?

EAOA is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

EAOA has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EAOA and IAU?

EAOA is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while IAU is Gold. EAOA tracks BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EAOA and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.23), 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.