OUNZ vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
OUNZ and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. OUNZ is a passively managed fund by Merk that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). It was launched on May 16, 2014. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both OUNZ and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: OUNZ or IAU.
Key characteristics
| OUNZ | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 15.58% | 15.63% |
| 1Y Return | 19.72% | 19.64% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 8.74% | 8.77% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 13.04% | 13.18% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.47 | 1.47 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.32% | 12.40% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.77% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -0.17% | -0.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between OUNZ and IAU is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
OUNZ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with OUNZ having a 15.58% return and IAU slightly higher at 15.63%. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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OUNZ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both OUNZ 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
OUNZ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) 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.
Dividends
OUNZ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
Neither OUNZ nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
OUNZ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum OUNZ drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUNZ and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
OUNZ vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 4.64% and 4.56%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.