TWOX vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TWOX (iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - TWOX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. TWOX is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. Over the past year, TWOX returned 16.12% vs 32.20% for IAU. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TWOX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

TWOX vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX) 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, TWOX achieves a 2.15% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return.

TWOX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 2.15%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

TWOX vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TWOX iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF	2.15%	13.32%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	58.38%

Correlation

The correlation between TWOX 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2025	0.08

The correlation between TWOX and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TWOX vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TWOX

TWOX Risk / Return Rank: 45
TWOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
TWOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TWOX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TWOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
TWOX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

TWOX vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX) 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.

	TWOX	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.23	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	1.62	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.24	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	1.69	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.04	4.19	+3.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TWOX vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TWOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TWOX 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

	TWOX	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.23	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.62	+0.05

Drawdowns

TWOX vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TWOX drawdown since its inception was -19.35%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TWOX and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TWOX	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.35%	-45.14%	+25.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.51%	-19.18%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-17.70%	+17.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.64%	-15.96%	+13.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	7.71%	-5.70%

Volatility

TWOX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF (TWOX) is 0.49%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that TWOX 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

	TWOX	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	5.50%	-5.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.25%	23.02%	-14.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.44%	26.42%	-15.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	17.95%	-1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.78%	15.90%	+0.88%

TWOX vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

TWOX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

TWOX vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

TWOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%
TWOX iShares Large Cap Accelerated Outcome ETF	0.55%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TWOX and IAU in my portfolio?

TWOX 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, TWOX or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to TWOX (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TWOX dropped -19.35% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, TWOX or IAU?

On 1-year performance, IAU leads with 32.20% vs 16.12% for TWOX. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, TWOX has been the lower-risk option at 0.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TWOX or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, IAU has performed better with a 32.20% return vs 16.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TWOX or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for TWOX.

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

TWOX has the higher dividend yield at 0.55%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between TWOX and IAU?

TWOX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for TWOX and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TWOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.