IAUM vs. OUNZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IAUM returned 31.53%/yr vs 31.27%/yr for OUNZ. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OUNZ.

Performance

IAUM vs. OUNZ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IAUM having a 3.00% return and OUNZ slightly higher at 3.01%.

IAUM

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

OUNZ

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: 5.51%
• 1Y: 32.21%
• 3Y*: 31.27%
• 5Y*: 18.34%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

IAUM vs. OUNZ - 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%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	3.01%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	3.73%

Correlation

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

IAUM vs. OUNZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. OUNZ — 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

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 32
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 36
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
OUNZ 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. OUNZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	1.62	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	1.69	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.22	4.20	+0.02
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. OUNZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the OUNZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM and OUNZ, 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	0.66	+0.50

Drawdowns

IAUM vs. OUNZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -20.87%, roughly equal to the maximum OUNZ drawdown of -21.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and OUNZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	OUNZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-21.77%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-19.14%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-19.14%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.01%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.68%	-17.65%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-7.57%	+2.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.70%	7.69%	+0.01%

Volatility

IAUM vs. OUNZ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) have volatilities of 5.50% and 5.52%, 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	OUNZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.50%	5.52%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.89%	22.98%	-0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.31%	26.40%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	17.91%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	15.96%	+1.90%

IAUM vs. OUNZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than OUNZ's 0.25% 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. OUNZ - Dividend Comparison

Neither IAUM nor OUNZ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and OUNZ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, IAUM and OUNZ 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 OUNZ?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to IAUM (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -20.87% vs OUNZ's -21.77%.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or OUNZ?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 31.53% vs 31.27% for OUNZ. 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 OUNZ?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 31.53% return vs 31.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or OUNZ?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for OUNZ.

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

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

What is the main difference between IAUM and OUNZ?

IAUM is categorized as Gold, while OUNZ is Precious Metals. IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while OUNZ tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Merk. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.25% for OUNZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.23), 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.