IJK vs. IAU
IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IJK is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJK returned 12.28%/yr vs 11.45%/yr for IAU. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IJK charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
IJK vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IJK achieves a 20.02% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -6.73% return. Over the past 10 years, IJK has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 12.28%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 11.45% annualized return.
IJK
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- YTD
- 20.02%
- 6M
- 17.34%
- 1Y
- 30.65%
- 3Y*
- 17.91%
- 5Y*
- 8.31%
- 10Y*
- 12.28%
IAU
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- -10.73%
- YTD
- -6.73%
- 6M
- -10.23%
- 1Y
- 20.46%
- 3Y*
- 27.63%
- 5Y*
- 17.45%
- 10Y*
- 11.45%
IJK vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF | 20.02% | 7.28% | 15.68% | 17.41% | -19.03% | 18.68% | 22.45% | 25.96% | -10.53% | 19.64% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -6.73% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJK and IAU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
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 | 0.08 |
The correlation between IJK and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (10 years) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IJK vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
IJK
IAU
IJK vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) 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.
| IJK | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.16 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.10 | 0.79 | +2.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.17 | 2.19 | +9.97 |
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Drawdowns
IJK vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJK drawdown since its inception was -54.47%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJK and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IJK | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.47% | -45.14% | -9.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.92% | -26.17% | +16.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.63% | -26.17% | +0.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.24% | -26.17% | -3.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.25% | -26.17% | -13.08% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.28% | -25.46% | +25.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.78% | -15.98% | +5.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.53% | 9.35% | -6.82% |
Volatility
IJK vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) is 5.54%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 8.63%. This indicates that IJK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| IJK | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.54% | 8.63% | -3.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.80% | 24.32% | -10.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.60% | 27.52% | -9.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.78% | 18.24% | +2.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.08% | 16.01% | +5.07% |
IJK vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
IJK has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU'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
IJK vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
IJK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, 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% |
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF | 0.53% | 0.66% | 0.79% | 1.13% | 1.08% | 0.50% | 0.70% | 1.09% | 1.13% | 0.93% | 1.15% | 1.12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IJK and IAU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (8.63%) compared to IJK (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJK dropped -54.47% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IJK leads with 12.28% vs 11.45% for IAU. On fees, IJK is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, IJK has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IJK has performed better with a 12.28% return vs 11.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IJK is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.
IJK has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
IJK is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. IJK tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for IJK and 0.25% for IAU.
IJK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 0.75), 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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