IJS vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IJS (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IJS is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJS returned 10.20%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for IAU. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

IJS vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) 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, IJS achieves a 16.54% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return. Over the past 10 years, IJS has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 10.20%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.42% annualized return.

IJS

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 17.68%
• 1Y: 41.12%
• 3Y*: 14.47%
• 5Y*: 5.86%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

IJS vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	16.54%	6.54%	7.33%	14.68%	-11.34%	30.53%	2.63%	24.11%	-12.86%	11.35%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between IJS and IAU is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.06

The correlation between IJS and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (10 years) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJS vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJS	IAU
Financial Services	19.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	15.9%	-
Industrials	11.6%	-
Technology	11.3%	-
Real Estate	8.7%	100.0%
Energy	7.6%	-
Healthcare	7.6%	-
Basic Materials	7.1%	-
Communication Services	4.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

IJS vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IJS

IJS Risk / Return Rank: 71
IJS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IJS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IJS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IJS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
IJS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

IJS vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) 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.

	IJS	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.23	+1.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	1.63	+1.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.25	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.35	1.87	+2.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	4.69	+9.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJS vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJS Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJS 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

	IJS	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	1.23	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	1.05	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.85	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.63	-0.22

Drawdowns

IJS vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJS drawdown since its inception was -60.11%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJS and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJS	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.11%	-45.14%	-14.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-19.18%	+9.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.65%	-19.18%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.65%	-20.93%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.68%	-21.82%	-25.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-16.88%	+16.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-15.96%	+6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	7.63%	-4.80%

Volatility

IJS vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) is 4.43%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that IJS 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

	IJS	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	5.78%	-1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	23.00%	-11.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	26.51%	-8.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	17.96%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	15.90%	+7.70%

IJS vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IJS and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IJS vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IJS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, 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%
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	1.28%	1.62%	1.78%	1.42%	1.46%	1.52%	1.00%	1.66%	1.75%	1.41%	1.22%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJS and IAU in my portfolio?

IJS and IAU have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IJS or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to IJS (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJS dropped -60.11% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IJS or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.42% vs 10.20% for IJS. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, IJS has been the lower-risk option at 4.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJS or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.42% return vs 10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJS or IAU?

IJS and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

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

IJS has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IJS and IAU?

IJS is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while IAU is Gold. IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.23), 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.