IAUM vs. GLDY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and GLDY (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while GLDY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. IAUM is passively managed, while GLDY is actively managed. Over the past year, IAUM returned 21.67% vs 3.71% for GLDY. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for GLDY.

Performance

IAUM vs. GLDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAUM achieves a -4.68% return, which is significantly higher than GLDY's -8.97% return.

IAUM

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -8.79%
• YTD: -4.68%
• 6M: -8.59%
• 1Y: 21.67%
• 3Y*: 28.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GLDY

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: -7.47%
• YTD: -8.97%
• 6M: -11.98%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUM vs. GLDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-4.68%	38.19%
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-8.97%	15.15%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and GLDY is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.88

The correlation between IAUM and GLDY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. GLDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 22
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 25
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 21

GLDY

GLDY Risk / Return Rank: 11
GLDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
GLDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
GLDY Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GLDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
GLDY Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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. GLDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY). 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.

	IAUM	GLDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	0.15	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	0.36	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.06	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	0.14	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.40	0.54	+1.86

IAUM vs. GLDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is higher than the GLDY Sharpe Ratio of 0.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM and GLDY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IAUM vs. GLDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, smaller than the maximum GLDY drawdown of -25.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and GLDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	GLDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.37%	-25.90%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.37%	-25.90%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.81%	-19.05%	-4.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-4.47%	-0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.06%	6.91%	+2.15%

Volatility

IAUM vs. GLDY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is 8.12%, while Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) has a volatility of 14.83%. This indicates that IAUM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAUM	GLDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.12%	14.83%	-6.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.11%	23.20%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.27%	24.59%	+2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	23.27%	-5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	23.27%	-5.17%

IAUM vs. GLDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GLDY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUM vs. GLDY - Dividend Comparison

IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 51.60%.

Position	TTM	2025
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	51.60%	37.38%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and GLDY in my portfolio?

IAUM and GLDY have a correlation of 0.88, 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 GLDY?

GLDY has higher volatility (14.83%) compared to IAUM (8.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -24.37% vs GLDY's -25.90%.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or GLDY?

On 1-year performance, IAUM leads with 21.67% vs 3.71% for GLDY. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 8.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAUM or GLDY?

Over the 1-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 21.67% return vs 3.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or GLDY?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for GLDY.

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

GLDY has the higher dividend yield at 51.60%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between IAUM and GLDY?

IAUM is categorized as Gold, while GLDY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.99% for GLDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.15), 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.