VDC vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VDC returned 8.27%/yr vs 29.97%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

VDC vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's 0.07% return.

VDC

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 4.71%
• 3Y*: 8.27%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 7.76%

IAUM

• 1D: -3.63%
• 1M: -8.02%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 28.61%
• 3Y*: 29.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VDC vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	7.46%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	11.70%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.07%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between VDC and IAUM is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	0.10

VDC vs. IAUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDC	IAUM
Consumer Defensive	97.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	-
Industrials	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VDC vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 15
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 14

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 30
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

VDC vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	VDC	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	1.08	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	1.46	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.22	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.44	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.05	3.64	-2.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDC vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDC Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDC and IAUM, 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

	VDC	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38	1.08	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	1.11	-0.44

Drawdowns

VDC vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -20.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDC	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-20.87%	-13.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-20.02%	+10.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.78%	-20.02%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.55%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.04%	-20.02%	+12.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.73%	-5.32%	+1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.50%	7.88%	-3.38%

Volatility

VDC vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is 4.47%, while iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that VDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDC	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	5.63%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.89%	23.20%	-13.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.47%	26.56%	-14.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.15%	17.93%	-4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.65%	17.93%	-3.28%

VDC vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VDC and IAUM have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDC vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.14%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDC and IAUM in my portfolio?

VDC and IAUM have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDC or IAUM?

IAUM has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to VDC (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDC dropped -34.24% vs IAUM's -20.87%.

Which ETF is better, VDC or IAUM?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 29.97% vs 8.27% for VDC. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, VDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDC or IAUM?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 29.97% return vs 8.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDC or IAUM?

VDC and IAUM have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VDC or IAUM?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between VDC and IAUM?

VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while IAUM is Gold. VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.38), 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.