EVUS vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EVUS (Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EVUS is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Value Extended ESG Focus Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EVUS returned 16.21%/yr vs 31.72%/yr for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EVUS charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EVUS vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF (EVUS) 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, EVUS achieves a 10.73% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return.

EVUS

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.27%
• YTD: 10.73%
• 6M: 12.33%
• 1Y: 23.81%
• 3Y*: 16.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

EVUS vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EVUS Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF	10.73%	13.31%	14.23%	3.45%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	7.64%

Correlation

The correlation between EVUS and IAU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2023	0.12

EVUS vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EVUS	IAU
Financial Services	19.0%	-
Technology	15.9%	-
Communication Services	13.1%	-
Healthcare	12.3%	-
Industrials	11.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	-
Energy	6.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	-
Utilities	3.7%	-
Real Estate	3.4%	100.0%
Basic Materials	2.9%	-

Return for Risk

EVUS vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVUS

EVUS Risk / Return Rank: 67
EVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
EVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 67
EVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
EVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

EVUS vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF (EVUS) 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.

	EVUS	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.23	+1.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	1.63	+1.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	1.87	+1.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.23	4.69	+8.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVUS vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVUS 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 EVUS 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

	EVUS	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	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	0.63	+0.37

Drawdowns

EVUS vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVUS drawdown since its inception was -15.65%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVUS and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVUS	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.65%	-45.14%	+29.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.72%	-19.18%	+11.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.65%	-19.18%	+3.53%
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	0.00%	-16.88%	+16.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-15.96%	+13.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	7.63%	-5.80%

Volatility

EVUS vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF (EVUS) is 2.48%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that EVUS 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

	EVUS	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	5.78%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.94%	23.00%	-15.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.47%	26.51%	-16.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.72%	17.96%	-5.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.72%	15.90%	-3.18%

EVUS vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVUS 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

EVUS vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EVUS Ishares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF	1.55%	1.62%	1.99%	2.31%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVUS and IAU in my portfolio?

EVUS and IAU have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVUS or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to EVUS (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVUS dropped -15.65% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EVUS or IAU?

On 3-year performance, IAU leads with 31.72% vs 16.21% for EVUS. On fees, EVUS is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, EVUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EVUS or IAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAU has performed better with a 31.72% return vs 16.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVUS or IAU?

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

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

EVUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EVUS and IAU?

EVUS is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while IAU is Gold. EVUS tracks MSCI USA Value Extended ESG Focus Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EVUS and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EVUS 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.