IAUM vs. SGOL
IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both Gold funds - IAUM tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM while SGOL tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IAUM returned 28.82%/yr vs 28.71%/yr for SGOL. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
IAUM vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IAUM having a -4.68% return and SGOL slightly lower at -4.70%.
IAUM
- 1D
- -1.87%
- 1M
- -8.79%
- YTD
- -4.68%
- 6M
- -8.59%
- 1Y
- 21.67%
- 3Y*
- 28.82%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SGOL
- 1D
- -1.86%
- 1M
- -8.83%
- YTD
- -4.70%
- 6M
- -8.63%
- 1Y
- 21.55%
- 3Y*
- 28.71%
- 5Y*
- 18.11%
- 10Y*
- 11.79%
IAUM vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro | -4.68% | 64.27% | 27.04% | 13.12% | -0.49% | 3.87% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -4.70% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | 2.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAUM and SGOL 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 29, 2021 | 1.00 |
The correlation between IAUM and SGOL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IAUM vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
IAUM
SGOL
IAUM vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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 | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.89 | 0.89 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.40 | 2.38 | +0.01 |
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Drawdowns
IAUM vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, smaller than the maximum SGOL drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IAUM | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -24.37% | -45.51% | +21.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.37% | -24.37% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.37% | -24.37% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -24.37% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.37% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -23.81% | -23.85% | +0.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.46% | -18.42% | +12.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.06% | 9.06% | 0.00% |
Volatility
IAUM vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) have volatilities of 8.12% and 8.11%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IAUM | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.12% | 8.11% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.11% | 24.14% | -0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.27% | 27.28% | -0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.10% | 18.13% | -0.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.10% | 16.00% | +2.10% |
IAUM vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% 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. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
Neither IAUM nor SGOL has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, IAUM and SGOL 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.
IAUM has higher volatility (8.12%) compared to SGOL (8.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -24.37% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 28.82% vs 28.71% for SGOL. 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.
Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 28.82% return vs 28.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for SGOL.
IAUM and SGOL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: iShares and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.17% for SGOL.
IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.79), 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.
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