PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IAU vs. SWVXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IAU vs. SWVXX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and SWVXX (Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price, while SWVXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Charles Schwab. IAU is passively managed, while SWVXX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAU returned 17.71%/yr vs 3.14%/yr for SWVXX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IAU charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SWVXX.

Performance

IAU vs. SWVXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAU achieves a 0.26% return, which is significantly lower than SWVXX's 1.45% return.

IAU

1D
0.20%
1M
-8.43%
YTD
0.26%
6M
3.08%
1Y
30.27%
3Y*
29.88%
5Y*
17.71%
10Y*
12.71%

SWVXX

1D
0.00%
1M
0.29%
YTD
1.45%
6M
1.77%
1Y
3.85%
3Y*
4.71%
5Y*
3.14%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IAU vs. SWVXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		0.26%63.95%26.85%12.84%-0.63%-3.84%
SWVXX
Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares		1.45%4.15%5.16%5.04%0.00%0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IAU and SWVXX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.10

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.04

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.03

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021

0.03

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Gold Trust

Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares

Often compared with IAU:
IAU vs. GLDIAU vs. GLDMIAU vs. IAUMIAU vs. SGOLIAU vs. GDXIAU vs. VOOIAU vs. PHYS
Often compared with SWVXX:
SWVXX vs. SGOVSWVXX vs. VMFXXSWVXX vs. SNSXXSWVXX vs. SPAXXSWVXX vs. SHVSWVXX vs. BILSWVXX vs. SWAGX

Return for Risk

IAU vs. SWVXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IAU
IAU Risk / Return Rank: 3333
Overall Rank
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
SWVXX
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.

IAU vs. SWVXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX). 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.

IAUSWVXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.14
3.71

-2.57

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.52

—

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

—

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.52

—

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.80

—

—

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAU vs. SWVXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAU Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the SWVXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAU and SWVXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

IAUSWVXXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.14

3.71

-2.57

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.99

2.95

-1.96

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.61

2.94

-2.33

Drawdowns

IAU vs. SWVXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAU drawdown since its inception was -45.14%, which is greater than SWVXX's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAU and SWVXX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IAUSWVXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-45.14%

0.00%

-45.14%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-20.04%

0.00%

-20.04%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.04%

0.00%

-20.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.93%

0.00%

-20.93%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-21.82%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-19.88%

0.00%

-19.88%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.97%

0.00%

-15.97%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

7.99%

0.00%

+7.99%

Volatility

IAU vs. SWVXX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX) at 0.29%. This indicates that IAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWVXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IAUSWVXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.64%

0.29%

+5.35%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

23.33%

0.76%

+22.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

26.68%

1.10%

+25.58%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.02%

1.09%

+16.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.94%

1.09%

+14.85%

IAU vs. SWVXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAU has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SWVXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAU vs. SWVXX - Dividend Comparison

IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SWVXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%.

PositionTTM202520242023
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
SWVXX
Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares		3.77%4.06%5.02%4.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

IAU and SWVXX have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SWVXX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAU dropped -45.14% vs SWVXX's 0.00%.

SWVXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 1.14), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IAU and SWVXX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer