XYLD vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - XYLD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XYLD returned 8.23%/yr vs 12.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

XYLD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) 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, XYLD achieves a 4.47% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, XYLD has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 8.23%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.71% annualized return.

XYLD

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 4.47%
• 6M: 5.83%
• 1Y: 16.60%
• 3Y*: 10.96%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: 8.23%

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)

XYLD vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	4.47%	8.02%	19.49%	11.10%	-12.05%	19.59%	-0.56%	21.41%	-6.09%	16.49%
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 XYLD and IAU is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2013	0.00

Over the past year, XYLD and IAU have become more correlated (0.25) than their long-term average of 0.00, meaning their price movements have been converging.

XYLD vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XYLD	IAU
Technology	35.6%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

XYLD vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XYLD

XYLD Risk / Return Rank: 84
XYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
XYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
XYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
XYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

XYLD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) 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.

	XYLD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.14	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	1.52	+2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.23	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	1.52	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.73	3.80	+12.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XYLD vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XYLD 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

	XYLD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.14	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.99	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.80	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.61	-0.01

Drawdowns

XYLD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XYLD drawdown since its inception was -33.46%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XYLD and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XYLD	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.46%	-45.14%	+11.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.29%	-20.04%	+14.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.53%	-20.04%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.66%	-20.93%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.46%	-21.82%	-11.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-19.88%	+19.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.72%	-15.97%	+12.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	7.99%	-7.00%

Volatility

XYLD vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is 1.33%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that XYLD 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

	XYLD	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	5.64%	-4.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.46%	23.33%	-17.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.60%	26.68%	-20.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.23%	18.02%	-6.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.21%	15.94%	-1.73%

XYLD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XYLD has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

XYLD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

XYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.57%, 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%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	10.57%	10.51%	11.54%	10.51%	13.43%	9.07%	7.93%	5.76%	7.12%	5.18%	3.23%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XYLD and IAU in my portfolio?

XYLD and IAU have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XYLD or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to XYLD (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XYLD dropped -33.46% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, XYLD or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 12.71% vs 8.23% for XYLD. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, XYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XYLD or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 12.71% return vs 8.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XYLD or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for XYLD.

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

XYLD has the higher dividend yield at 10.57%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between XYLD and IAU?

XYLD is categorized as Derivative Income, while IAU is Gold. XYLD tracks Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for XYLD and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 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.