IUSV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IUSV (iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P 900 Value Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSV returned 12.06%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for IAU. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUSV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IUSV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF (IUSV) 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, IUSV achieves a 8.61% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSV has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 12.06%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

IUSV

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 9.11%
• 1Y: 22.73%
• 3Y*: 16.12%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: 12.06%

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)

IUSV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IUSV iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF	8.61%	12.85%	12.18%	21.73%	-5.40%	25.22%	1.56%	31.47%	-9.21%	15.09%
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 IUSV 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	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.06

The correlation between IUSV and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (10 years) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IUSV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IUSV	IAU
Technology	20.8%	-
Financial Services	15.0%	-
Industrials	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Healthcare	11.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.8%	-
Energy	7.2%	-
Utilities	4.3%	-
Real Estate	3.7%	100.0%
Basic Materials	3.6%	-
Communication Services	3.1%	-

Return for Risk

IUSV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUSV

IUSV Risk / Return Rank: 72
IUSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IUSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
IUSV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IUSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
IUSV Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

IUSV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF (IUSV) 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.

	IUSV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	1.24	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	1.63	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	1.70	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.74	4.18	+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.

IUSV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSV Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSV 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

	IUSV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	1.24	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	1.04	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.84	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.63	-0.02

Drawdowns

IUSV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSV drawdown since its inception was -56.88%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUSV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.88%	-45.14%	-11.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.36%	-19.18%	+12.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.76%	-19.18%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.95%	-20.93%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.54%	-21.82%	-15.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-17.02%	+17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-15.96%	+9.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	7.79%	-6.13%

Volatility

IUSV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF (IUSV) is 2.13%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that IUSV 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

	IUSV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	5.50%	-3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.19%	23.03%	-15.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.00%	26.41%	-16.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.56%	17.94%	-3.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	15.90%	+1.17%

IUSV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSV has a 0.04% 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

IUSV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IUSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, 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%
IUSV iShares Core S&P U.S. Value ETF	1.67%	1.78%	2.15%	1.75%	2.22%	1.87%	2.40%	2.19%	2.67%	1.93%	4.44%	7.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUSV and IAU in my portfolio?

IUSV 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, IUSV or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to IUSV (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSV dropped -56.88% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IUSV or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.38% vs 12.06% for IUSV. On fees, IUSV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IUSV has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IUSV or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 12.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IUSV or IAU?

IUSV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

IUSV has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IUSV and IAU?

IUSV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while IAU is Gold. IUSV tracks S&P 900 Value Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for IUSV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 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.