VGPMX vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
VGPMX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 23, 1984. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price. It was launched on Jan 21, 2005.
Performance
VGPMX vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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VGPMX vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund | 4.53% | 65.96% | 5.78% | 10.06% | 7.34% | 19.50% | 17.21% | 20.67% | -32.26% | 13.75% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 8.61% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGPMX achieves a 4.53% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 8.61% return. Over the past 10 years, VGPMX has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 12.39%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 14.08% annualized return.
VGPMX
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -10.69%
- YTD
- 4.53%
- 6M
- 17.55%
- 1Y
- 57.21%
- 3Y*
- 24.25%
- 5Y*
- 19.13%
- 10Y*
- 12.39%
IAU
- 1D
- 3.80%
- 1M
- -11.01%
- YTD
- 8.61%
- 6M
- 21.15%
- 1Y
- 49.53%
- 3Y*
- 33.12%
- 5Y*
- 21.78%
- 10Y*
- 14.08%
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VGPMX vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGPMX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VGPMX vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
VGPMX
IAU
VGPMX vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) 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.
| VGPMX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.94 | 1.80 | +1.14 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.51 | 2.24 | +1.28 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.56 | 1.33 | +0.23 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.24 | 2.69 | +1.55 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 17.59 | 9.97 | +7.62 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGPMX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.94 | 1.80 | +1.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.12 | 1.24 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 | 0.89 | -0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 0.64 | -0.39 |
Correlation
The correlation between VGPMX and IAU is 0.50, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
VGPMX vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
VGPMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.73%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund | 3.73% | 2.59% | 2.68% | 3.22% | 3.27% | 3.26% | 2.03% | 2.39% | 3.02% | 0.02% | 1.72% | 2.32% |
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% |
Drawdowns
VGPMX vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGPMX drawdown since its inception was -78.85%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGPMX and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGPMX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.85% | -45.14% | -33.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.80% | -19.18% | +6.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.71% | -20.93% | -1.78% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -54.59% | -21.82% | -32.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.73% | -13.20% | +2.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.69% | -15.98% | -18.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 5.18% | -2.09% |
Volatility
VGPMX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) is 7.56%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 11.02%. This indicates that VGPMX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VGPMX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.56% | 11.02% | -3.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.14% | 24.11% | -10.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.28% | 27.62% | -8.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.15% | 17.69% | -0.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.65% | 15.82% | +5.83% |