GLD vs IAU
SPDR Gold Shares vs ishares Gold Trust
Which is better, GLD or IAU?
Nearly the same fund. IAU costs less.
IAU has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GLD | IAU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.25%Best |
| AUM | $141.3B | $62.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 4 | 1 |
| YTD Return | -5.60% | -5.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.26% | -1.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.37% | +28.53%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.49% | +17.65%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3%Tie | 17.3%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -45.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,387 | $22,540Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Commodity |
| Style | Gold | Gold |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2004 | Jan 21, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2005 to Oct 14, 2026 (21.7 years).
GLD vs IAU growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 21.7 years both funds cover.
GLD vs IAU Performance
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ishares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GLD returned -1.26% while IAU returned -1.23%. Year to date, GLD is down 5.60% versus a loss of 5.51% for IAU.
Over three years, GLD compounded at +28.37% per year against +28.53% for IAU; over five years the annualized figures are +17.49% and +17.65% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, IAU has the edge at +10.67% annualized vs +10.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GLD and IAU have been equally volatile, both at 17.3% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.6% for GLD and -45.1% for IAU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLD charges 0.40% per year while IAU charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $25 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLD currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for IAU.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLD and IAU you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLD or IAU?
GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% while IAU charges 0.25%. IAU is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLD or IAU?
Over the past year GLD returned -1.26% vs -1.23% for IAU, so IAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GLD annualized +10.54% vs +10.67% for IAU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLD or IAU?
GLD and IAU have been equally volatile, both at 17.3% annualized. Worst drawdown: GLD -45.6% vs IAU -45.1%.
Should I hold both GLD and IAU?
GLD and IAU have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLD or IAU?
GLD yields 0.00% while IAU yields 0.00%, so IAU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IAU better than GLD?
IAU has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.