ESMV vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
ESMV and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ESMV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross. It was launched on Nov 2, 2021. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price. It was launched on Jan 21, 2005. Both ESMV and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
ESMV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
ESMV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | -1.84% | 5.34% | 13.06% | 12.20% | -11.08% | 3.20% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 8.61% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | 2.08% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a -1.84% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 8.61% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- 1.49%
- 1M
- -5.31%
- YTD
- -1.84%
- 6M
- -2.50%
- 1Y
- 0.08%
- 3Y*
- 8.74%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- 3.80%
- 1M
- -11.01%
- YTD
- 8.61%
- 6M
- 21.15%
- 1Y
- 49.53%
- 3Y*
- 33.12%
- 5Y*
- 21.78%
- 10Y*
- 14.08%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
ESMV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV 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%.
Return for Risk
ESMV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
IAU
ESMV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) 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.
| ESMV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.01 | 1.80 | -1.80 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.10 | 2.24 | -2.13 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.33 | -0.32 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.10 | 2.69 | -2.60 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.36 | 9.97 | -9.61 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESMV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.01 | 1.80 | -1.80 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 1.24 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.89 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.64 | -0.32 |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and IAU is 0.18, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.
Dividends
ESMV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.70% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
ESMV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and IAU.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -45.14% | +25.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.46% | -19.18% | +9.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -20.93% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -21.82% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.31% | -13.20% | +7.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.46% | -15.98% | +10.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.54% | 5.18% | -2.64% |
Volatility
ESMV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) is 3.38%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 11.02%. This indicates that ESMV 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.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| ESMV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.38% | 11.02% | -7.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.13% | 24.11% | -15.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.76% | 27.62% | -13.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.40% | 17.69% | -4.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.40% | 15.82% | -2.42% |