IJK vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

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 11.54%/yr vs 13.38%/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

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJK achieves a 19.41% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, IJK has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 11.54%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

IJK

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 19.41%
• 6M: 18.76%
• 1Y: 30.22%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

IAU

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.39%
• 5Y*: 18.52%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

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

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	19.41%	7.28%	15.68%	17.41%	-19.03%	18.68%	22.45%	25.96%	-10.53%	19.64%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	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 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.08

The correlation between IJK and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (10 years) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJK vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJK	IAU
Industrials	31.1%	-
Technology	21.8%	-
Healthcare	13.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	-
Financial Services	7.3%	-
Real Estate	5.5%	100.0%
Energy	3.7%	-
Basic Materials	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	-
Utilities	2.0%	-
Communication Services	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

IJK vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IJK

IJK Risk / Return Rank: 58
IJK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
IJK Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IJK Omega Ratio Rank: 51
IJK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IJK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

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.

	IJK	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.24	+0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	1.63	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.25	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	1.70	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	4.18	+7.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJK vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJK Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJK and IAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IJK	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.24	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	1.04	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.84	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.63	-0.25

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJK	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.47%	-45.14%	-9.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-19.18%	+9.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-19.18%	-6.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.24%	-20.93%	-8.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.25%	-21.82%	-17.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-17.02%	+17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.80%	-15.96%	+5.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	7.79%	-5.28%

Volatility

IJK vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) is 4.98%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	IJK	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	5.50%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	23.03%	-9.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.00%	26.41%	-9.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	17.94%	+2.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.06%	15.90%	+5.16%

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 0.54%, 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	0.54%	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

Can I hold both IJK and IAU in my portfolio?

IJK and IAU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJK or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to IJK (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJK dropped -54.47% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IJK or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.38% vs 11.54% for IJK. On fees, IJK is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, IJK has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJK or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 11.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJK or IAU?

IJK is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IJK or IAU?

IJK has the higher dividend yield at 0.54%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IJK and 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.24), 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.