GLDB vs. IAU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GLDB) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).

GLDB and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GLDB is a passively managed fund by Strategy Shares that tracks the performance of the Solactive Gold Backed Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross. It was launched on May 17, 2021. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price. It was launched on Jan 21, 2005. Both GLDB 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.

Performance

GLDB vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GLDB) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GLDB vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GLDB Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF	-2.60%	-3.51%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	8.61%	4.99%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLDB achieves a -2.60% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 8.61% return.

GLDB

• 1D: 3.72%
• 1M: -6.76%
• YTD: -2.60%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 3.80%
• 1M: -11.01%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 21.15%
• 1Y: 49.53%
• 3Y*: 33.12%
• 5Y*: 21.78%
• 10Y*: 14.08%

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

GLDB vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLDB has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

GLDB

Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF

IAU

iShares Gold Trust

Return for Risk

GLDB 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: 87
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GLDB vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GLDB) 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

	GLDB	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.31	0.64	-0.95

Correlation

The correlation between GLDB and IAU is 0.77, 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

GLDB vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

GLDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025
GLDB Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF	0.20%	0.19%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GLDB vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLDB drawdown since its inception was -27.36%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDB and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLDB	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.36%	-45.14%	+17.78%
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	-22.48%	-13.20%	-9.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.62%	-15.98%	+5.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.18%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GLDB	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.02%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.11%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.68%	27.62%	+17.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.68%	17.69%	+26.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.68%	15.82%	+28.86%