IAUM vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both Gold funds - IAUM tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM while AAAU tracks the LBMA Gold PM Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IAUM returned 31.59%/yr vs 31.47%/yr for AAAU. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

IAUM vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IAUM having a 3.84% return and AAAU slightly lower at 3.83%.

IAUM

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 6.39%
• 1Y: 32.66%
• 3Y*: 31.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AAAU

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 31.47%
• 5Y*: 18.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUM vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	3.84%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	3.83%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and AAAU is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	1.00

The correlation between IAUM and AAAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 30

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

IAUM vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). 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.

	IAUM	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.24	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	1.64	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	1.71	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.21	4.21	0.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAUM vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM and AAAU, 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

	IAUM	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	1.24	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	1.09	+0.07

Drawdowns

IAUM vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -20.87%, roughly equal to the maximum AAAU drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-21.63%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-19.13%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-19.13%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.01%	-16.97%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-6.19%	+0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.78%	7.76%	+0.02%

Volatility

IAUM vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) have volatilities of 5.49% and 5.51%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	IAUM	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	5.51%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.90%	22.94%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.30%	26.33%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	17.83%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	16.99%	+0.87%

IAUM vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IAUM vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IAUM nor AAAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and AAAU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, IAUM and AAAU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IAUM or AAAU?

AAAU has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to IAUM (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -20.87% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or AAAU?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 31.59% vs 31.47% for AAAU. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAUM or AAAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 31.59% return vs 31.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or AAAU?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for AAAU.

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

IAUM and AAAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IAUM and AAAU?

IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while AAAU tracks LBMA Gold PM Price. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.18% for AAAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 1.24), 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.