STLG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STLG (iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - STLG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, STLG returned 20.26%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

STLG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) 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, STLG achieves a 21.29% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

STLG

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 11.92%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 21.80%
• 1Y: 43.57%
• 3Y*: 33.60%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: —

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)

STLG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	21.29%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	22.09%

Correlation

The correlation between STLG 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	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2020	0.11

STLG vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STLG	IAU
Technology	54.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	16.7%	-
Healthcare	8.8%	-
Communication Services	6.3%	-
Industrials	5.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	-
Financial Services	2.2%	-
Utilities	1.6%	-
Energy	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	100.0%

Return for Risk

STLG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

STLG

STLG Risk / Return Rank: 69
STLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
STLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
STLG Omega Ratio Rank: 67
STLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
STLG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

STLG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) 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.

	STLG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.23	+1.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	1.62	+1.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.24	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	1.69	+1.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	4.19	+8.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STLG vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STLG Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STLG 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

	STLG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.23	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	1.03	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.62	+0.27

Drawdowns

STLG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STLG drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STLG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	STLG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-45.14%	+13.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-19.18%	+5.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-19.18%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	-20.93%	-9.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-17.70%	+16.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-15.96%	+8.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	7.71%	-4.31%

Volatility

STLG vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF (STLG) is 5.03%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that STLG 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

	STLG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.03%	5.50%	-0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.89%	23.02%	-9.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	26.42%	-8.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	17.95%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	15.90%	+7.99%

STLG vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both STLG and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

STLG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

STLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
STLG iShares Factors US Growth Style ETF	0.25%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STLG and IAU in my portfolio?

STLG 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, STLG or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to STLG (5.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STLG dropped -31.34% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, STLG or IAU?

On 5-year performance, STLG leads with 20.26% vs 18.32% for IAU. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, STLG has been the lower-risk option at 5.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STLG or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, STLG has performed better with a 20.26% return vs 18.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STLG or IAU?

STLG and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

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

STLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.25%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between STLG and IAU?

STLG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. STLG tracks Russell US Large Cap Factors Growth Style Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.23), 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.