SCHG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHG returned 18.53%/yr vs 12.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

SCHG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) 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, SCHG achieves a 3.75% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHG has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 18.53%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.71% annualized return.

SCHG

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: 3.75%
• 6M: 2.93%
• 1Y: 20.82%
• 3Y*: 24.03%
• 5Y*: 14.90%
• 10Y*: 18.53%

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SCHG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	3.75%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHG and IAU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2009	0.05

The correlation between SCHG and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHG vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHG	IAU
Technology	46.3%	-
Communication Services	16.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	-
Healthcare	7.7%	-
Financial Services	6.7%	-
Industrials	5.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	-
Energy	0.8%	-
Real Estate	0.5%	100.0%
Utilities	0.4%	-

Return for Risk

SCHG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 36
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
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.

SCHG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) 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.

	SCHG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.14	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.52	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.52	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	3.80	+0.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHG vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHG Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHG 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

	SCHG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	1.14	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.99	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.80	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.61	+0.22

Drawdowns

SCHG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHG drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-45.14%	+10.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.41%	-20.04%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-20.04%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-20.93%	-13.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	-21.82%	-12.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-19.88%	+15.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-15.97%	+10.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	7.99%	-3.08%

Volatility

SCHG vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) is 4.52%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that SCHG 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

	SCHG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	5.64%	-1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	23.33%	-11.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.77%	26.68%	-10.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.31%	18.02%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.58%	15.94%	+5.64%

SCHG vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

SCHG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, 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%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.37%	0.36%	0.39%	0.46%	0.55%	0.42%	0.52%	0.82%	1.27%	1.01%	1.04%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHG and IAU in my portfolio?

SCHG and IAU have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHG or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SCHG (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHG dropped -34.59% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SCHG or IAU?

On 10-year performance, SCHG leads with 18.53% vs 12.71% for IAU. On fees, SCHG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHG has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHG or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 18.53% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHG or IAU?

SCHG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

SCHG has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between SCHG and IAU?

SCHG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHG and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.14), 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.