GLDY vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GLDY (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. GLDY is actively managed, while IAUM is passively managed. Over the past year, GLDY returned 13.84% vs 32.42% for IAUM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GLDY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

GLDY vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLDY achieves a -2.30% return, which is significantly lower than IAUM's 3.00% return.

GLDY

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -2.30%
• 6M: -0.58%
• 1Y: 13.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAUM

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 3.00%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 32.42%
• 3Y*: 31.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GLDY vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-2.30%	15.40%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	3.00%	37.92%

Correlation

The correlation between GLDY and IAUM is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2025	0.89

The correlation between GLDY and IAUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GLDY vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLDY

GLDY Risk / Return Rank: 21
GLDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
GLDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
GLDY Omega Ratio Rank: 23
GLDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
GLDY Martin Ratio Rank: 21

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAUM 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.

GLDY vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	GLDY	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	1.24	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	1.63	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.25	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	1.70	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.47	4.22	-1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLDY vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLDY Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is lower than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLDY and IAUM, 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

	GLDY	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70	1.24	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	1.16	-0.60

Drawdowns

GLDY vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLDY drawdown since its inception was -13.43%, smaller than the maximum IAUM drawdown of -20.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDY and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLDY	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.43%	-20.87%	+7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.43%	-19.15%	+5.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.15%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.12%	-17.68%	+4.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.91%	-5.30%	+1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.61%	7.70%	-2.09%

Volatility

GLDY vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) is 4.56%, while iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that GLDY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLDY	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	5.50%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.27%	22.89%	-4.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.87%	26.31%	-6.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.58%	17.86%	+1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.58%	17.86%	+1.72%

GLDY vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLDY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLDY vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

GLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.42%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	46.42%	37.38%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLDY and IAUM in my portfolio?

GLDY and IAUM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GLDY or IAUM?

IAUM has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to GLDY (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDY dropped -13.43% vs IAUM's -20.87%.

Which ETF is better, GLDY or IAUM?

On 1-year performance, IAUM leads with 32.42% vs 13.84% for GLDY. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GLDY has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GLDY or IAUM?

Over the 1-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 32.42% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLDY or IAUM?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for GLDY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GLDY or IAUM?

GLDY has the higher dividend yield at 46.42%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between GLDY and IAUM?

GLDY is categorized as Derivative Income, while IAUM is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for GLDY and 0.09% for IAUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.70), 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.