IAUM vs. GDXU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and GDXU (MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while GDXU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IAUM returned 31.53%/yr vs 46.61%/yr for GDXU. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GDXU.

Performance

IAUM vs. GDXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAUM achieves a 3.00% return, which is significantly higher than GDXU's -43.81% return.

IAUM

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

GDXU

• 1D: -10.63%
• 1M: -11.26%
• YTD: -43.81%
• 6M: -33.96%
• 1Y: 72.31%
• 3Y*: 46.61%
• 5Y*: -10.91%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUM vs. GDXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	3.00%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%
GDXU MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN	-43.81%	796.47%	-18.60%	-21.36%	-62.82%	-25.99%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and GDXU is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	0.79

The correlation between IAUM and GDXU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

IAUM vs. GDXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAUM	GDXU
Real Estate	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. GDXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

GDXU

GDXU Risk / Return Rank: 23
GDXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
GDXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
GDXU Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GDXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GDXU Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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. GDXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU). 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	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	0.53	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	1.53	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.21	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	0.98	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.22	2.00	+2.22
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. GDXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is higher than the GDXU Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM and GDXU, 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	GDXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	0.53	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	-0.09	+1.25

Drawdowns

IAUM vs. GDXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -20.87%, smaller than the maximum GDXU drawdown of -94.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and GDXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	GDXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-94.39%	+73.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-73.99%	+54.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-73.99%	+54.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-92.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.68%	-73.92%	+56.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-69.77%	+64.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.70%	36.23%	-28.53%

Volatility

IAUM vs. GDXU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is 5.50%, while MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X Leveraged ETN (GDXU) has a volatility of 46.45%. This indicates that IAUM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAUM	GDXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.50%	46.45%	-40.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.89%	118.07%	-95.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.31%	137.57%	-111.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	110.85%	-92.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	110.02%	-92.16%

IAUM vs. GDXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GDXU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUM vs. GDXU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IAUM nor GDXU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and GDXU in my portfolio?

IAUM and GDXU have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAUM or GDXU?

GDXU has higher volatility (46.45%) compared to IAUM (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -20.87% vs GDXU's -94.39%.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or GDXU?

On 3-year performance, GDXU leads with 46.61% vs 31.53% for IAUM. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAUM or GDXU?

Over the 3-year period, GDXU has performed better with a 46.61% return vs 31.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or GDXU?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GDXU.

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

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

What is the main difference between IAUM and GDXU?

IAUM is categorized as Gold, while GDXU is Leveraged Equities. IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while GDXU tracks S-Network MicroSectors Gold Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.95% for GDXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.53), 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.