EFAV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFAV returned 5.92%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for IAU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EFAV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EFAV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) 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, EFAV achieves a 4.42% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, EFAV has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 5.92%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

EFAV

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: 4.42%
• 6M: 5.83%
• 1Y: 9.78%
• 3Y*: 13.24%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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)

EFAV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	4.42%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-5.74%	22.24%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between EFAV and IAU is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.22

The correlation between EFAV and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.37 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EFAV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAV	IAU
Financial Services	19.9%	-
Industrials	15.1%	-
Healthcare	12.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	11.5%	-
Communication Services	9.7%	-
Utilities	9.1%	-
Energy	8.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	-
Technology	4.5%	-
Real Estate	2.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

EFAV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 28
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 26
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

EFAV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) 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.

	EFAV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.24	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.63	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.25	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	1.70	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.22	4.18	+0.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFAV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAV Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAV 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

	EFAV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	1.24	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	1.04	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.84	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.63	-0.09

Drawdowns

EFAV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAV drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.56%	-45.14%	+17.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-19.18%	+12.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	-19.18%	+10.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.46%	-20.93%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.56%	-21.82%	-5.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.07%	-17.02%	+11.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.77%	-15.96%	+11.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	7.79%	-5.47%

Volatility

EFAV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) is 3.14%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that EFAV 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

	EFAV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	5.50%	-2.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.19%	23.03%	-14.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.32%	26.41%	-16.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.79%	17.94%	-6.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.21%	15.90%	-2.69%

EFAV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAV has a 0.20% 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

EFAV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EFAV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.06%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFAV and IAU in my portfolio?

EFAV and IAU have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFAV or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to EFAV (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAV dropped -27.56% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EFAV or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.38% vs 5.92% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAV or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 5.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAV or IAU?

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.06%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EFAV and IAU?

EFAV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.95), 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.