IAUF vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
IAUF and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IAUF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Bloomberg Composite Gold Index. It was launched on Jun 6, 2018. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both IAUF 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: IAUF or IAU.
Key characteristics
| IAUF | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 13.02% | 13.40% |
| 1Y Return | 16.78% | 17.43% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 8.79% | 9.42% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 11.36% | 12.57% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.38 | 1.42 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.10% | 12.26% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.35% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.18% | -2.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAUF and IAU is 0.92, 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
IAUF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IAUF having a 13.02% return and IAU slightly higher at 13.40%. 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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IAUF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both IAUF and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
IAUF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) 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
IAUF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
IAUF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.67%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAUF iShares Gold Strategy ETF | 11.67% | 13.18% | 0.88% | 0.00% | 7.61% | 10.04% | 0.77% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
IAUF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAUF drawdown since its inception was -23.35%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUF and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
IAUF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.01% and 5.08%, 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.