EUIG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EUIG (iShares Euro Investment Grade Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EUIG is a European Corporate Bonds fund tracking the BBG Euro Corporate Index, 100% USD Hedged, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EUIG charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EUIG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Euro Investment Grade Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF (EUIG) 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, EUIG achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return.

EUIG

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.23%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

EUIG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EUIG iShares Euro Investment Grade Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF	1.18%	-0.10%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	8.27%

Correlation

The correlation between EUIG and IAU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

EUIG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

EUIG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Euro Investment Grade Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF (EUIG) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EUIG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.62	0.00

Drawdowns

EUIG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EUIG drawdown since its inception was -2.32%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EUIG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EUIG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.32%	-45.14%	+42.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-17.70%	+17.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.57%	-15.96%	+15.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.71%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EUIG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.02%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07%	26.42%	-23.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.07%	17.95%	-14.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.07%	15.90%	-12.83%

EUIG vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EUIG 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

EUIG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EUIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
EUIG iShares Euro Investment Grade Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF	1.60%	0.43%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EUIG and IAU in my portfolio?

EUIG and IAU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EUIG or IAU?

On fees, EUIG is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EUIG or IAU?

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

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

EUIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.60%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EUIG and IAU?

EUIG is categorized as European Corporate Bonds, while IAU is Gold. EUIG tracks BBG Euro Corporate Index, 100% USD Hedged, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EUIG and 0.25% for IAU.