IGLD vs. IAU
IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both Gold funds. IGLD is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IGLD returned 12.76%/yr vs 18.02%/yr for IAU. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
IGLD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a -5.55% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's -4.73% return.
IGLD
- 1D
- -1.96%
- 1M
- -8.08%
- YTD
- -5.55%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- 14.83%
- 3Y*
- 20.33%
- 5Y*
- 12.76%
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- -1.87%
- 1M
- -8.82%
- YTD
- -4.73%
- 6M
- -8.68%
- 1Y
- 21.45%
- 3Y*
- 28.61%
- 5Y*
- 18.02%
- 10Y*
- 11.76%
IGLD vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -5.55% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -4.73% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | 5.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGLD and IAU is 0.95 - 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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.93 |
The correlation between IGLD and IAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IGLD vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
IGLD
IAU
IGLD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.
| IGLD | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.17 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.68 | 0.88 | -0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.94 | 2.37 | -0.44 |
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Drawdowns
IGLD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -21.90%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGLD | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.90% | -45.14% | +23.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.90% | -24.40% | +2.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.90% | -24.40% | +2.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.90% | -24.40% | +2.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.20% | -23.87% | +2.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.37% | -15.97% | +10.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.68% | 9.07% | -1.39% |
Volatility
IGLD vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 8.14% and 8.10%, 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
| IGLD | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.14% | 8.10% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.34% | 24.23% | -1.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.40% | 27.38% | -2.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.48% | 18.18% | -2.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.30% | 15.98% | -0.68% |
IGLD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGLD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 19.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, IGLD and IAU 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.
IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to IAU (8.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -21.90% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.02% vs 12.76% for IGLD. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.02% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 0.25% for IAU.
IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.79 vs 0.61), 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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