IAUM vs. METL

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while METL is a Commodity Producers Equities fund actively managed by Sprott. IAUM is passively managed, while METL is actively managed. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for METL.

Performance

IAUM vs. METL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAUM achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than METL's 7.51% return.

IAUM

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -8.41%
• YTD: 0.28%
• 6M: 3.16%
• 1Y: 30.56%
• 3Y*: 30.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

METL

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -9.97%
• YTD: 7.51%
• 6M: 15.84%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUM vs. METL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.28%	18.36%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	7.51%	27.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and METL is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2025	0.67

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. METL — 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: 35
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. METL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). 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	METL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.84	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IAUM	METL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	1.18	-0.06

Drawdowns

IAUM vs. METL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -20.87%, smaller than the maximum METL drawdown of -27.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and METL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	METL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-27.39%	+6.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.85%	-18.48%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-8.24%	+2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.98%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IAUM	METL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.20%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.57%	44.85%	-18.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.92%	44.85%	-26.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	44.85%	-26.93%

IAUM vs. METL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than METL's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUM vs. METL - Dividend Comparison

IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while METL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%.

Position	TTM	2025
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	0.92%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and METL in my portfolio?

IAUM and METL have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or METL?

On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or METL?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

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

METL has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between IAUM and METL?

IAUM is categorized as Gold, while METL is Commodity Producers Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.89% for METL.