EWJV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWJV (iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EWJV is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Value Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EWJV returned 13.51%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EWJV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EWJV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) 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, EWJV achieves a 14.97% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

EWJV

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 6.48%
• YTD: 14.97%
• 6M: 18.88%
• 1Y: 36.33%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 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)

EWJV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	14.97%	33.96%	11.59%	23.60%	-6.02%	5.48%	2.41%	10.48%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.79%

Correlation

The correlation between EWJV and IAU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2019	0.18

EWJV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWJV	IAU
Financial Services	30.2%	-
Industrials	23.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	-
Technology	9.4%	-
Communication Services	6.3%	-
Healthcare	4.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	-
Real Estate	2.9%	100.0%
Energy	2.1%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

EWJV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWJV

EWJV Risk / Return Rank: 52
EWJV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
EWJV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
EWJV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
EWJV Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
EWJV Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

EWJV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) 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.

	EWJV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.23	+0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.62	+1.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	1.69	+0.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	4.19	+3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWJV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWJV Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWJV 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

	EWJV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.23	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	1.03	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.62	+0.07

Drawdowns

EWJV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWJV drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWJV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWJV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-45.14%	+15.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.74%	-19.18%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-19.18%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.39%	-20.93%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-17.70%	+13.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-15.96%	+9.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	7.71%	-2.86%

Volatility

EWJV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) is 3.96%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that EWJV 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

	EWJV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	5.50%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.55%	23.02%	-8.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.22%	26.42%	-7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	17.95%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	15.90%	+2.63%

EWJV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWJV has a 0.15% 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

EWJV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EWJV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.66%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	4.66%	5.35%	4.10%	3.32%	2.71%	2.46%	1.96%	4.29%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWJV and IAU in my portfolio?

EWJV and IAU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWJV or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to EWJV (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWJV dropped -30.05% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EWJV or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 13.51% for EWJV. On fees, EWJV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EWJV has been the lower-risk option at 3.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWJV or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 13.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWJV or IAU?

EWJV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

EWJV has the higher dividend yield at 4.66%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EWJV and IAU?

EWJV is categorized as Japan Equities, while IAU is Gold. EWJV tracks MSCI Japan Value Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EWJV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 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.