PDN vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDN (Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - PDN is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE RAFI Developed x US Mid/Small, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PDN returned 8.41%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PDN charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

PDN vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) 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, PDN achieves a 10.22% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, PDN has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 8.41%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

PDN

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 10.22%
• 6M: 12.61%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

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)

PDN vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDN Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF	10.22%	38.34%	0.57%	13.35%	-17.35%	9.03%	10.65%	19.17%	-18.38%	30.74%
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 PDN and IAU is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2007	0.22

Over the past year, PDN and IAU have become more correlated (0.43) than their long-term average of 0.22, meaning their price movements have been converging.

PDN vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PDN	IAU
Industrials	22.4%	-
Financial Services	11.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Technology	10.3%	-
Basic Materials	10.0%	-
Real Estate	8.6%	100.0%
Healthcare	5.4%	-
Energy	5.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Communication Services	3.3%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-

Return for Risk

PDN vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDN

PDN Risk / Return Rank: 55
PDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PDN Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

PDN vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) 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.

	PDN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.23	+0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	1.62	+1.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	1.69	+0.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.64	4.19	+5.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDN vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDN Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDN 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

	PDN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	1.23	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	1.03	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.84	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.62	-0.35

Drawdowns

PDN vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDN drawdown since its inception was -59.32%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDN and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDN	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.32%	-45.14%	-14.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.26%	-19.18%	+7.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.25%	-19.18%	+5.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.68%	-20.93%	-12.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.94%	-21.82%	-20.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.62%	-17.70%	+15.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.59%	-15.96%	+4.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	7.71%	-4.83%

Volatility

PDN vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF (PDN) is 4.74%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that PDN 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

	PDN	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	5.50%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.11%	23.02%	-10.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	26.42%	-11.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	17.95%	-1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	15.90%	+1.16%

PDN vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDN has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDN vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

PDN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, 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%
PDN Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF	3.08%	3.36%	3.36%	3.16%	2.68%	2.42%	1.79%	2.60%	2.21%	2.42%	2.16%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDN and IAU in my portfolio?

PDN and IAU have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDN or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to PDN (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDN dropped -59.32% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, PDN or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 8.41% for PDN. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PDN has been the lower-risk option at 4.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PDN or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 8.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PDN or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for PDN.

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

PDN has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between PDN and IAU?

PDN is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. PDN tracks FTSE RAFI Developed x US Mid/Small, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PDN and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 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.