USXF vs. IAU
USXF (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - USXF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Choice ESG Screened Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USXF returned 14.65%/yr vs 17.22%/yr for IAU. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USXF charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
USXF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USXF achieves a 17.80% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -7.61% return.
USXF
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 2.01%
- YTD
- 17.80%
- 6M
- 16.11%
- 1Y
- 29.35%
- 3Y*
- 25.80%
- 5Y*
- 14.65%
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- -3.03%
- 1M
- -11.58%
- YTD
- -7.61%
- 6M
- -11.09%
- 1Y
- 19.64%
- 3Y*
- 27.30%
- 5Y*
- 17.22%
- 10Y*
- 11.42%
USXF vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF | 17.80% | 16.97% | 26.16% | 31.65% | -21.20% | 27.14% | 23.07% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -7.61% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 9.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between USXF and IAU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2020 | 0.13 |
The correlation between USXF and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (5 years) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
USXF vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
USXF
IAU
USXF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF (USXF) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| USXF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.96 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.15 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.89 | 0.75 | +2.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.06 | 2.14 | +8.92 |
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Drawdowns
USXF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USXF drawdown since its inception was -29.54%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USXF and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USXF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.54% | -45.14% | +15.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.19% | -26.17% | +15.98% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.93% | -26.17% | +5.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.54% | -26.17% | -3.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.95% | -26.17% | +23.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.39% | -15.98% | +9.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 9.21% | -6.55% |
Volatility
USXF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF (USXF) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 8.42% and 8.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USXF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.42% | 8.50% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.54% | 24.42% | -9.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.66% | 27.55% | -9.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.84% | 18.24% | +1.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.35% | 16.01% | +3.34% |
USXF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
USXF has a 0.10% 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
USXF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
USXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, 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% |
USXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF | 0.82% | 0.93% | 1.00% | 1.21% | 1.39% | 0.86% | 0.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USXF and IAU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to USXF (8.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USXF dropped -29.54% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 17.22% vs 14.65% for USXF. On fees, USXF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 17.22% return vs 14.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USXF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.
USXF has the higher dividend yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
USXF is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. USXF tracks MSCI USA Choice ESG Screened Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for USXF and 0.25% for IAU.
USXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 0.72), 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.
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