VONG vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VONG returned 18.32%/yr vs 12.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VONG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

VONG vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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, VONG achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, VONG has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 18.32%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.71% annualized return.

VONG

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 18.32%

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

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

VONG vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	4.12%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and IAU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010	0.04

The correlation between VONG and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VONG vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VONG	IAU
Technology	51.4%	-
Communication Services	13.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	-
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Industrials	5.7%	-
Financial Services	5.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	-
Real Estate	0.4%	100.0%
Energy	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Utilities	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

VONG vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
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.

VONG vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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.

	VONG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.14	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	1.52	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.52	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	3.80	+0.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VONG vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG 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

	VONG	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	1.14	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.99	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.80	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.61	+0.27

Drawdowns

VONG vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-45.14%	+12.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-20.04%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-20.04%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-20.93%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-21.82%	-10.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.47%	-19.88%	+15.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-15.97%	+11.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	7.99%	-3.14%

Volatility

VONG vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is 4.78%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that VONG 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

	VONG	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	5.64%	-0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	23.33%	-11.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	26.68%	-10.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.38%	18.02%	+3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	15.94%	+4.96%

VONG vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VONG has a 0.06% 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

VONG vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, 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%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VONG and IAU in my portfolio?

VONG and IAU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VONG or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to VONG (4.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, VONG or IAU?

On 10-year performance, VONG leads with 18.32% vs 12.71% for IAU. On fees, VONG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VONG has been the lower-risk option at 4.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VONG or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, VONG has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 12.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VONG or IAU?

VONG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

VONG has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between VONG and IAU?

VONG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. VONG tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VONG and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VONG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.14), 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.