GLD vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
GLD and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both GLD and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: GLD or IAU.
Key characteristics
| GLD | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 15.26% | 15.30% |
| 1Y Return | 18.87% | 19.05% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 9.94% | 10.13% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 12.88% | 13.10% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 5.91% | 6.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.52 | 1.53 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.07% | 12.08% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.56% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -0.40% | -0.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and IAU is 0.99, 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.
Performance
GLD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GLD having a 15.26% return and IAU slightly higher at 15.30%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GLD having a 5.91% annualized return and IAU not far ahead at 6.10%. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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GLD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
Risk-Adjusted Performance
GLD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) 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.
Dividends
GLD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
GLD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
GLD vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 4.37% and 4.35%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.