EWG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWG (iShares MSCI Germany ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EWG is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Germany Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWG returned 7.59%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EWG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) 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, EWG achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, EWG has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 7.59%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

EWG

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: 3.11%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 3.23%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 5.94%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

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)

EWG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWG iShares MSCI Germany ETF	0.64%	35.79%	9.79%	23.35%	-22.27%	5.84%	10.09%	19.15%	-21.40%	27.42%
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 EWG and IAU is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.18

The correlation between EWG and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (10 years) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWG vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWG	IAU
Industrials	30.3%	-
Financial Services	21.6%	-
Technology	13.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	-
Communication Services	6.6%	-
Healthcare	6.1%	-
Basic Materials	5.8%	-
Utilities	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	100.0%
Energy	-	-

Return for Risk

EWG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWG

EWG Risk / Return Rank: 11
EWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
EWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
EWG Omega Ratio Rank: 11
EWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
EWG Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

EWG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) 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.

	EWG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.19	1.23	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.38	1.62	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.24	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.22	1.69	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.66	4.19	-3.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWG vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.19, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWG 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

	EWG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19	1.23	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	1.03	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.84	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.62	-0.37

Drawdowns

EWG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWG drawdown since its inception was -67.57%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.57%	-45.14%	-22.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.54%	-19.18%	+4.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.81%	-19.18%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.44%	-20.93%	-22.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.80%	-21.82%	-24.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.02%	-17.70%	+13.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.20%	-15.96%	-3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.89%	7.71%	-2.82%

Volatility

EWG vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) has a higher volatility of 6.49% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that EWG'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

	EWG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.49%	5.50%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.18%	23.02%	-8.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.28%	26.42%	-9.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.48%	17.95%	+2.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.11%	15.90%	+5.21%

EWG vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWG iShares MSCI Germany ETF	1.59%	1.60%	2.38%	2.56%	3.24%	2.70%	1.67%	2.51%	2.93%	2.06%	2.35%	1.93%
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 EWG and IAU in my portfolio?

EWG and IAU have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWG or IAU?

EWG has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWG dropped -67.57% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EWG or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 7.59% for EWG. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. 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, EWG or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 7.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWG or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWG.

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

EWG has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EWG and IAU?

EWG is categorized as Europe Equities, while IAU is Gold. EWG tracks MSCI Germany Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWG and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.19), 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.