IAUM vs. YGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and YGLD (Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF) are both Gold funds. IAUM is passively managed, while YGLD is actively managed. Over the past year, IAUM returned 21.67% vs 11.74% for YGLD. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for YGLD.

Performance

IAUM vs. YGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD). 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 YGLD's -16.76% return.

IAUM

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

YGLD

• 1D: -2.32%
• 1M: -12.41%
• YTD: -16.76%
• 6M: -23.00%
• 1Y: 11.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IAUM vs. YGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-4.68%	64.27%	-0.53%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	-16.76%	96.82%	-4.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and YGLD is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.93

The correlation between IAUM and YGLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. YGLD — 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

YGLD

YGLD Risk / Return Rank: 13
YGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
YGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
YGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 15
YGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
YGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. YGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD). 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	YGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	0.28	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	0.63	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.09	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	0.29	+0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.40	0.69	+1.71

IAUM vs. YGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is higher than the YGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM and YGLD, 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. YGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, smaller than the maximum YGLD drawdown of -40.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and YGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUM	YGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.37%	-40.91%	+16.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.37%	-40.91%	+16.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.81%	-39.93%	+16.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-8.87%	+3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.06%	17.08%	-8.02%

Volatility

IAUM vs. YGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is 8.12%, while Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) has a volatility of 11.81%. This indicates that IAUM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAUM	YGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.12%	11.81%	-3.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.11%	36.35%	-12.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.27%	41.62%	-14.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	39.45%	-21.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	39.45%	-21.35%

IAUM vs. YGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than YGLD's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUM vs. YGLD - Dividend Comparison

IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while YGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.43%.

Position	TTM	2025
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	21.43%	12.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUM and YGLD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, IAUM and YGLD 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 YGLD?

YGLD has higher volatility (11.81%) compared to IAUM (8.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -24.37% vs YGLD's -40.91%.

Which ETF is better, IAUM or YGLD?

On 1-year performance, IAUM leads with 21.67% vs 11.74% for YGLD. 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 YGLD?

Over the 1-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 21.67% return vs 11.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUM or YGLD?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for YGLD.

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

YGLD has the higher dividend yield at 21.43%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between IAUM and YGLD?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.50% for YGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.28), 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.