ESGE vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGE (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGE returned 6.83%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

ESGE vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) 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, ESGE achieves a 26.85% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

ESGE

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 9.37%
• YTD: 26.85%
• 6M: 29.21%
• 1Y: 55.02%
• 3Y*: 24.13%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 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)

ESGE vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	26.85%	35.86%	6.63%	9.51%	-22.41%	-2.87%	18.60%	20.37%	-15.24%	38.86%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGE 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	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2016	0.22

The correlation between ESGE and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESGE vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGE	IAU
Technology	43.4%	-
Financial Services	20.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	-
Communication Services	7.2%	-
Industrials	4.7%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Healthcare	2.4%	-
Energy	2.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	-
Utilities	1.5%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

ESGE vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGE

ESGE Risk / Return Rank: 80
ESGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ESGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
ESGE Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ESGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
ESGE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

ESGE vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) 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.

	ESGE	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	1.23	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	1.62	+1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.24	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	1.69	+2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.51	4.19	+11.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGE vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGE Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGE 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

	ESGE	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	1.23	+1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	1.03	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.62	-0.13

Drawdowns

ESGE vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGE drawdown since its inception was -41.07%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGE and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGE	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.07%	-45.14%	+4.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-19.18%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-19.18%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.23%	-20.93%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-17.70%	+16.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.47%	-15.96%	+1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	7.71%	-4.15%

Volatility

ESGE vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) has a higher volatility of 8.56% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that ESGE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGE	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.56%	5.50%	+3.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.46%	23.02%	-5.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.10%	26.42%	-6.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.11%	17.95%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.94%	15.90%	+4.04%

ESGE vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ESGE and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGE vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

ESGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	1.97%	2.50%	2.41%	2.64%	2.68%	2.66%	1.31%	2.59%	2.19%	1.86%	0.27%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGE and IAU in my portfolio?

ESGE 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, ESGE or IAU?

ESGE has higher volatility (8.56%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGE dropped -41.07% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ESGE or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 6.83% for ESGE. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGE or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGE or IAU?

ESGE and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

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

ESGE has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between ESGE and IAU?

ESGE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAU is Gold. ESGE tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 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.