RODM vs. IAU
RODM (Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - RODM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RODM returned 9.30%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RODM charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
RODM vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RODM achieves a 12.24% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.44% return. Over the past 10 years, RODM has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 9.30%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.31% annualized return.
RODM
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 12.24%
- 6M
- 13.78%
- 1Y
- 26.14%
- 3Y*
- 20.24%
- 5Y*
- 9.72%
- 10Y*
- 9.30%
IAU
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -9.54%
- YTD
- -2.44%
- 6M
- -2.22%
- 1Y
- 22.32%
- 3Y*
- 29.07%
- 5Y*
- 17.23%
- 10Y*
- 12.31%
RODM vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RODM Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF | 12.24% | 34.42% | 8.02% | 15.76% | -14.54% | 11.11% | -0.62% | 17.15% | -9.97% | 25.14% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -2.44% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between RODM and IAU is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2015 | 0.21 |
The correlation between RODM and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RODM vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
RODM
IAU
RODM vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| RODM | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.19 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.58 | 0.99 | +2.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.22 | 2.83 | +11.39 |
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Drawdowns
RODM vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RODM drawdown since its inception was -35.98%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RODM and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RODM | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.98% | -45.14% | +9.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.10% | -24.40% | +17.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.58% | -24.40% | +13.82% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.85% | -24.40% | -4.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.98% | -24.40% | -11.58% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.31% | -22.03% | +21.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.37% | -15.97% | +9.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.78% | 8.47% | -6.69% |
Volatility
RODM vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM) is 3.54%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 7.70%. This indicates that RODM 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.
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Volatility by Period
| RODM | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.54% | 7.70% | -4.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.76% | 23.94% | -15.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.02% | 27.17% | -16.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.47% | 18.16% | -4.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.21% | 16.02% | -0.81% |
RODM vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
RODM has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
RODM vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
RODM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, 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% |
RODM Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF | 2.77% | 3.11% | 4.09% | 4.42% | 3.81% | 4.41% | 2.82% | 2.82% | 2.03% | 2.24% | 3.19% | 2.60% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RODM and IAU have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to RODM (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RODM dropped -35.98% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 12.31% vs 9.30% for RODM. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, RODM has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 12.31% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for RODM.
RODM has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
RODM is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. RODM tracks Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for RODM and 0.25% for IAU.
RODM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.89), 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.
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