PHYS vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: PHYS or IAU.
Key characteristics
| PHYS | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 24.11% | 24.49% |
| 1Y Return | 28.54% | 30.69% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 10.44% | 11.06% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 10.95% | 11.74% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 7.23% | 7.80% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.01 | 2.16 |
| Sortino Ratio | 2.62 | 2.88 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.35 | 1.38 |
| Calmar Ratio | 3.39 | 4.13 |
| Martin Ratio | 12.21 | 13.70 |
| Ulcer Index | 2.42% | 2.32% |
| Daily Std Dev | 14.71% | 14.76% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.16% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -8.73% | -7.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between PHYS and IAU is 0.93, 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
PHYS vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PHYS having a 24.11% return and IAU slightly higher at 24.49%. Over the past 10 years, PHYS has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 7.23%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 7.80% annualized return. 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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Risk-Adjusted Performance
PHYS vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) 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
PHYS vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
Neither PHYS nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
PHYS vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PHYS drawdown since its inception was -48.16%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHYS and IAU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
PHYS vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.67% and 5.49%, 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.