FNDF vs. IAU
FNDF (Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - FNDF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net), while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDF returned 12.34%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.
Performance
FNDF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FNDF achieves a 19.66% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.44% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FNDF having a 12.34% annualized return and IAU not far behind at 12.31%.
FNDF
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 2.91%
- YTD
- 19.66%
- 6M
- 21.60%
- 1Y
- 41.60%
- 3Y*
- 22.69%
- 5Y*
- 13.11%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
IAU
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -7.39%
- YTD
- -2.44%
- 6M
- -2.22%
- 1Y
- 22.32%
- 3Y*
- 29.07%
- 5Y*
- 17.23%
- 10Y*
- 12.31%
FNDF vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF | 19.66% | 40.99% | 2.29% | 20.22% | -7.78% | 14.97% | 3.61% | 18.46% | -14.21% | 23.98% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -2.44% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between FNDF and IAU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2013 | 0.17 |
Over the past year, FNDF and IAU have become more correlated (0.39) than their long-term average of 0.17, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
FNDF vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
FNDF
IAU
FNDF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| FNDF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.19 | +0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.82 | 0.99 | +2.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.27 | 2.83 | +11.43 |
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Drawdowns
FNDF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FNDF drawdown since its inception was -40.14%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDF and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FNDF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.14% | -45.14% | +5.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.60% | -24.40% | +13.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.89% | -24.40% | +10.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.56% | -24.40% | -1.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.14% | -24.40% | -15.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.94% | -22.03% | +20.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.63% | -15.97% | +8.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.84% | 8.47% | -5.63% |
Volatility
FNDF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) is 6.65%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 7.70%. This indicates that FNDF 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FNDF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.65% | 7.70% | -1.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.64% | 23.94% | -10.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.00% | 27.17% | -11.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 18.16% | -1.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.71% | 16.02% | +1.69% |
FNDF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both FNDF and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
FNDF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
FNDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF | 2.87% | 3.44% | 4.01% | 3.41% | 3.10% | 3.54% | 2.17% | 3.20% | 3.47% | 2.32% | 2.42% | 2.08% |
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
FNDF and IAU have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to FNDF (6.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDF dropped -40.14% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, FNDF leads with 12.34% vs 12.31% for IAU. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, FNDF has been the lower-risk option at 6.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FNDF has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 12.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FNDF and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.
FNDF has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
FNDF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. FNDF tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net), while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares.
FNDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.89), 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.
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