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IAU vs. V
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IAU vs. V

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IAU (iShares Gold Trust) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price, while V (Visa Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, IAU returned 12.31%/yr vs 15.98%/yr for V. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

IAU vs. V - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAU achieves a -2.44% return, which is significantly higher than V's -7.69% return. Over the past 10 years, IAU has underperformed V with an annualized return of 12.31%, while V has yielded a comparatively higher 15.98% annualized return.

IAU

1D
0.08%
1M
-9.54%
YTD
-2.44%
6M
-2.22%
1Y
22.32%
3Y*
29.07%
5Y*
17.23%
10Y*
12.31%

V

1D
1.05%
1M
-0.04%
YTD
-7.69%
6M
-6.93%
1Y
-7.91%
3Y*
13.87%
5Y*
7.33%
10Y*
15.98%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IAU vs. V - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		-2.44%63.95%26.85%12.84%-0.63%-4.00%25.03%17.98%-1.76%12.91%
V
Visa Inc.		-7.69%11.76%22.32%26.31%-3.40%-0.31%17.12%43.33%16.49%47.18%

Correlation

The correlation between IAU and V is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

-0.04

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

0.00

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

0.02

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.01

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2008

-0.00

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

Visa Inc.

Often compared with IAU:
IAU vs. GLDIAU vs. GLDMIAU vs. IAUMIAU vs. SGOLIAU vs. GDXIAU vs. VOOIAU vs. PHYS
Often compared with V:
V vs. MAV vs. SPYV vs. AXPV vs. HDV vs. VOOV vs. NVDAV vs. TSM

Return for Risk

IAU vs. V — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IAU
IAU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
V
V Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
V Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1818
Sharpe Ratio Rank
V Sortino Ratio Rank: 1717
Sortino Ratio Rank
V Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
V Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
V Martin Ratio Rank: 55
Martin Ratio Rank
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. V - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and Visa Inc. (V). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

IAUVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.89
-0.56

+1.45

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.25
-0.68

+1.93

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

0.92

+0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.99

-0.73

+1.72

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.83

-1.57

+4.40

IAU vs. V - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is higher than the V Sharpe Ratio of -0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAU and V, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IAU vs. V - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAU drawdown since its inception was -45.14%, smaller than the maximum V drawdown of -51.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAU and V.

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Drawdown Indicators

IAUVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-45.14%

-51.90%

+6.76%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-24.40%

-17.18%

-7.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.40%

-20.38%

-4.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.40%

-28.60%

+4.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.40%

-36.36%

+11.96%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-22.03%

-12.96%

-9.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.97%

-8.26%

-7.71%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.47%

10.73%

-2.26%

Volatility

IAU vs. V - Volatility Comparison

iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a higher volatility of 7.70% compared to Visa Inc. (V) at 5.57%. This indicates that IAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than V based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IAUVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.70%

5.57%

+2.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

23.94%

17.57%

+6.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

27.17%

22.35%

+4.82%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.16%

22.82%

-4.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.02%

24.45%

-8.43%

Dividends

IAU vs. V - Dividend Comparison

IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while V's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IAU
iShares Gold Trust		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
V
Visa Inc.		0.81%0.70%0.68%0.72%0.76%0.62%0.56%0.56%0.67%0.61%0.75%0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

IAU and V have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAU has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to V (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAU dropped -45.14% vs V's -51.90%.

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs -0.56), 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

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