IGV vs. IAU
IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IGV is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGV returned 15.67%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for IAU. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGV charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
IGV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGV achieves a -12.27% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's -7.29% return. Over the past 10 years, IGV has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 15.67%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 11.37% annualized return.
IGV
- 1D
- 0.31%
- 1M
- 2.22%
- 6M
- -11.99%
- YTD
- -12.27%
- 1Y
- -13.74%
- 3Y*
- 8.93%
- 5Y*
- 3.38%
- 10Y*
- 15.67%
IAU
- 1D
- -2.60%
- 1M
- -4.98%
- 6M
- -13.00%
- YTD
- -7.29%
- 1Y
- 18.88%
- 3Y*
- 26.67%
- 5Y*
- 16.68%
- 10Y*
- 11.37%
IGV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | -12.27% | 5.56% | 23.41% | 58.56% | -35.65% | 12.30% | 52.86% | 34.33% | 12.44% | 42.16% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -7.29% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGV and IAU is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2005 | 0.04 |
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Return for Risk
IGV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
IGV
IAU
IGV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) 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.
| IGV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.15 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.38 | 0.72 | -1.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.74 | 1.77 | -2.51 |
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Drawdowns
IGV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGV drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGV and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.45% | -45.14% | -18.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.61% | -26.17% | -10.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.61% | -26.17% | -10.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.85% | -26.17% | -19.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.85% | -26.17% | -19.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.29% | -25.91% | +4.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.47% | -16.00% | +1.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 18.66% | 10.66% | +8.00% |
Volatility
IGV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) has a higher volatility of 8.00% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 7.54%. This indicates that IGV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IGV | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.00% | 7.54% | +0.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 25.33% | 24.02% | +1.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.74% | 27.75% | +0.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.10% | 18.33% | +9.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.41% | 16.04% | +10.37% |
IGV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGV has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
IGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.16% | 0.09% | 0.82% | 0.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IGV and IAU have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGV has higher volatility (8.00%) compared to IAU (7.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGV dropped -63.45% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IGV leads with 15.67% vs 11.37% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 7.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IGV has performed better with a 15.67% return vs 11.37%. 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 0.39% for IGV.
IGV has the higher dividend yield at 0.02%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
IGV is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. IGV tracks S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGV and 0.25% for IAU.
IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.68 vs -0.48), 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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