PLG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLG (Platinum Group Metals Ltd.) is a stock, while IAU (iShares Gold Trust) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Over the past 10 years, PLG returned -25.18%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PLG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (PLG) 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, PLG achieves a -29.66% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, PLG has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of -25.18%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

PLG

• 1D: -6.21%
• 1M: -4.60%
• YTD: -29.66%
• 6M: -33.33%
• 1Y: 8.50%
• 3Y*: 4.61%
• 5Y*: -16.82%
• 10Y*: -25.18%

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)

PLG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLG Platinum Group Metals Ltd.	-29.66%	84.37%	12.28%	-34.48%	10.13%	-65.95%	174.56%	13.42%	-50.99%	-78.74%
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 PLG and IAU is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.30

Over the past year, PLG and IAU have become more correlated (0.53) than their long-term average of 0.30, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PLG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLG

PLG Risk / Return Rank: 45
PLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
PLG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
PLG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

PLG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (PLG) 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.

	PLG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.10	1.23	-1.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.74	1.62	-0.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.24	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.16	1.69	-1.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.29	4.19	-3.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLG vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLG Sharpe Ratio is 0.10, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLG 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

	PLG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10	1.23	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	1.03	-1.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.32	0.84	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.62	-0.60

Drawdowns

PLG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLG drawdown since its inception was -99.81%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.81%	-45.14%	-54.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.89%	-19.18%	-35.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.89%	-19.18%	-35.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-76.98%	-20.93%	-56.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-97.73%	-21.82%	-75.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.64%	-17.70%	-81.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-68.79%	-15.96%	-52.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.68%	7.71%	+21.97%

Volatility

PLG vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (PLG) has a higher volatility of 20.03% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that PLG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.03%	5.50%	+14.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	58.84%	23.02%	+35.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.50%	26.42%	+56.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	71.79%	17.95%	+53.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.12%	15.90%	+64.22%

Dividends

PLG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither PLG nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLG and IAU in my portfolio?

PLG and IAU have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLG or IAU?

PLG has higher volatility (20.03%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLG dropped -99.81% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.10), 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.