USMV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - USMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USMV returned 9.93%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USMV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

USMV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) 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, USMV achieves a 2.65% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, USMV has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 9.93%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

USMV

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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)

USMV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	2.65%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	-9.43%	20.85%	5.64%	27.69%	1.33%	18.91%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between USMV and IAU is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.07

USMV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USMV	IAU
Technology	30.8%	-
Healthcare	12.5%	-
Financial Services	12.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	10.0%	-
Utilities	7.5%	-
Communication Services	5.9%	-
Industrials	5.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	-
Energy	3.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.2%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	100.0%

Return for Risk

USMV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 17
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

USMV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) 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.

	USMV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.23	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.79	1.62	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.24	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	1.69	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.27	4.19	-1.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USMV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMV 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

	USMV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	1.23	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	1.03	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.84	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.62	+0.24

Drawdowns

USMV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.10%	-45.14%	+12.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-19.18%	+12.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.36%	-19.18%	+9.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	-20.93%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.10%	-21.82%	-11.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-17.70%	+16.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-15.96%	+13.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	7.71%	-5.78%

Volatility

USMV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is 2.38%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that USMV 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

	USMV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	5.50%	-3.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.91%	23.02%	-17.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.50%	26.42%	-17.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.35%	17.95%	-5.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	15.90%	-1.39%

USMV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMV has a 0.15% 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

USMV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, 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%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.53%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USMV and IAU in my portfolio?

USMV and IAU have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USMV or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to USMV (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, USMV or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 9.93% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMV or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMV or IAU?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between USMV and IAU?

USMV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IAU is Gold. USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USMV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.52), 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.