SCHY vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHY (Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHY is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHY returned 7.76%/yr vs 17.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHY charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

SCHY vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) 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, SCHY achieves a 7.47% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return.

SCHY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -0.99%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 10.12%
• 1Y: 21.14%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SCHY vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	7.47%	33.98%	-1.79%	14.27%	-9.43%	3.42%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	2.56%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHY 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	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2021	0.36

SCHY vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHY	IAU
Financial Services	15.8%	-
Communication Services	15.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	14.8%	-
Industrials	13.8%	-
Energy	10.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	-
Utilities	7.4%	-
Basic Materials	5.7%	-
Healthcare	4.0%	-
Technology	3.8%	-
Real Estate	0.9%	100.0%

Return for Risk

SCHY vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHY

SCHY Risk / Return Rank: 54
SCHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SCHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SCHY Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SCHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SCHY Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

SCHY vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) 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.

	SCHY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.14	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.52	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.23	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	1.52	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	3.80	+3.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHY vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHY 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

	SCHY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	1.14	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.99	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.61	+0.04

Drawdowns

SCHY vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHY drawdown since its inception was -24.04%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHY and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHY	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.04%	-45.14%	+21.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-20.04%	+10.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.16%	-20.04%	+7.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.04%	-20.93%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.55%	-19.88%	+14.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-15.97%	+11.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	7.99%	-5.09%

Volatility

SCHY vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) is 2.83%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that SCHY 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

	SCHY	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	5.64%	-2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	23.33%	-13.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.96%	26.68%	-14.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.26%	18.02%	-4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.23%	15.94%	-2.71%

SCHY vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHY has a 0.08% 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

SCHY vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

SCHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	3.45%	3.55%	4.64%	3.97%	3.67%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHY and IAU in my portfolio?

SCHY 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.

Which is riskier, SCHY or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SCHY (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHY dropped -24.04% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SCHY or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 17.71% vs 7.76% for SCHY. On fees, SCHY is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SCHY has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHY or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 17.71% return vs 7.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHY or IAU?

SCHY is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

SCHY has the higher dividend yield at 3.45%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between SCHY and IAU?

SCHY is categorized as Dividend, while IAU is Gold. SCHY tracks Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for SCHY and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 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.