VOO vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.23%/yr vs 12.97%/yr for IAU. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

VOO vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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, VOO achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 15.23%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.97% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 25.87%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

IAU

• 1D: -3.63%
• 1M: -8.02%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 28.33%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 17.65%
• 10Y*: 12.97%

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

VOO vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.06%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and IAU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.05

The correlation between VOO and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VOO vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	IAU
Technology	35.7%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VOO vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 66
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IAU 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.

VOO vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.07	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.45	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.22	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	1.42	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	3.60	+9.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

	VOO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.07	+1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.98	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.82	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.61	+0.26

Drawdowns

VOO vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-45.14%	+11.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-20.04%	+11.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-20.04%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-20.93%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-21.82%	-12.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.90%	-20.04%	+17.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-15.97%	+12.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	7.89%	-5.97%

Volatility

VOO vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.74%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that VOO 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

	VOO	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	5.64%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.30%	23.33%	-14.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	26.67%	-14.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	18.01%	-1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	15.94%	+2.08%

VOO vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% 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

VOO vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and IAU in my portfolio?

VOO and IAU have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to VOO (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or IAU?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.23% vs 12.97% for IAU. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.23% return vs 12.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or IAU?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between VOO and IAU?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while IAU is Gold. VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.07), 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.