IWFH vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

IWFH (iShares Virtual Work and Life Multisector ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IWFH is a Technology Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Virtual Work and Life Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IWFH charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IWFH vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Virtual Work and Life Multisector ETF (IWFH) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IWFH

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: -8.56%
• YTD: -5.68%
• 6M: -10.29%
• 1Y: 21.91%
• 3Y*: 28.30%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

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

IWFH vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IWFH iShares Virtual Work and Life Multisector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	-7.41%	17.42%	-39.32%	-25.56%	15.77%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-5.68%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	0.78%

Correlation

The correlation between IWFH and IAU is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2020	0.12

Return for Risk

IWFH vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWFH

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 22
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

IWFH vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Virtual Work and Life Multisector ETF (IWFH) 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.

	IWFH	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.80	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.15	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.17	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.84	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.32	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	IWFH	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-45.14%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-24.62%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-15.98%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.48%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IWFH	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.74%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.32%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	27.53%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	18.24%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	16.01%	—

IWFH vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWFH has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWFH vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IWFH nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWFH iShares Virtual Work and Life Multisector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	1.83%	0.31%	0.00%	0.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWFH and IAU in my portfolio?

IWFH 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.

Which ETF is better, IWFH or IAU?

On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWFH or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IWFH.

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

IWFH and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IWFH and IAU?

IWFH is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. IWFH tracks NYSE FactSet Global Virtual Work and Life Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IWFH and 0.25% for IAU.