OEF vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OEF (iShares S&P 100 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - OEF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 100 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OEF returned 16.71%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OEF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

OEF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P 100 ETF (OEF) 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, OEF achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, OEF has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 16.71%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.31% annualized return.

OEF

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 5.44%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 9.34%
• 1Y: 29.54%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: 15.70%
• 10Y*: 16.71%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

OEF vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OEF iShares S&P 100 ETF	9.51%	19.80%	30.74%	32.71%	-21.03%	29.18%	21.21%	31.87%	-4.16%	21.82%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between OEF and IAU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.05

The correlation between OEF and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (10 years) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OEF vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OEF	IAU
Technology	41.0%	-
Communication Services	14.5%	-
Financial Services	10.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	-
Industrials	5.3%	-
Energy	2.6%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.5%	-
Real Estate	0.3%	100.0%

Return for Risk

OEF vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

OEF

OEF Risk / Return Rank: 64
OEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
OEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
OEF Omega Ratio Rank: 68
OEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
OEF Martin Ratio Rank: 62

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
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.

OEF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 100 ETF (OEF) 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.

	OEF	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.23	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	1.62	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.24	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	1.69	+1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.29	4.19	+7.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OEF vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OEF 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

	OEF	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.23	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	1.03	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.84	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.62	-0.18

Drawdowns

OEF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OEF drawdown since its inception was -54.11%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OEF and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	OEF	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.11%	-45.14%	-8.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.06%	-19.18%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.80%	-19.18%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.47%	-20.93%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.44%	-21.82%	-9.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-17.70%	+16.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.76%	-15.96%	+4.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	7.71%	-5.09%

Volatility

OEF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P 100 ETF (OEF) is 3.14%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that OEF 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

	OEF	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	5.50%	-2.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.48%	23.02%	-13.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.73%	26.42%	-13.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.69%	17.95%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.44%	15.90%	+2.54%

OEF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

OEF has a 0.20% 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

OEF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

OEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, 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%
OEF iShares S&P 100 ETF	0.83%	0.81%	1.03%	1.19%	1.55%	1.06%	1.43%	1.87%	2.09%	1.81%	2.07%	2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OEF and IAU in my portfolio?

OEF and IAU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OEF or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to OEF (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OEF dropped -54.11% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, OEF or IAU?

On 10-year performance, OEF leads with 16.71% vs 13.31% for IAU. On fees, OEF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, OEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OEF or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, OEF has performed better with a 16.71% return vs 13.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OEF or IAU?

OEF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

OEF has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between OEF and IAU?

OEF is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. OEF tracks S&P 100 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for OEF and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 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.