GDXW vs. IAU

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF (GDXW) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).

GDXW and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GDXW is an actively managed fund by Roundhill. It was launched on Oct 29, 2025. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price. It was launched on Jan 21, 2005.

Performance

GDXW vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF (GDXW) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GDXW vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GDXW Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF	11.12%	21.25%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	10.48%	7.10%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXW achieves a 11.12% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 10.48% return.

GDXW

• 1D: 5.45%
• 1M: -20.83%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 1.72%
• 1M: -10.66%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 6M: 23.05%
• 1Y: 52.36%
• 3Y*: 33.88%
• 5Y*: 22.19%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

GDXW vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXW has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

GDXW

Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF

IAU

iShares Gold Trust

Return for Risk

GDXW 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: 86
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 85
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

GDXW vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF (GDXW) 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

	GDXW	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.66	0.65	+1.01

Correlation

The correlation between GDXW and IAU is 0.79, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

GDXW vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

GDXW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.06%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025
GDXW Roundhill Gold Miners Weeklypay ETF	22.06%	7.48%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GDXW vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXW drawdown since its inception was -36.83%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXW and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDXW	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.83%	-45.14%	+8.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-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	-21.72%	-11.71%	-10.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-15.98%	+7.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.23%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GDXW	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	10.44%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.15%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.19%	27.64%	+36.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	64.19%	17.70%	+46.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	64.19%	15.83%	+48.36%