vs
GLD vs IAU: Performance & Backtest Comparison
IAU delivered the higher return - 10.93% CAGR vs 10.81% - over 2005-02-28 → 2026-07-31.
Growth comparison
Drawdown
Annual returns
| GLD | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | SPDR Gold Shares | iShares Gold Trust Shares |
| CAGR | 10.81% | 10.93% |
| Total return | 808.38% | 829.59% |
| Volatility | 17.17% | 17.14% |
| Max drawdown | -42.91%Dec 2015 | -42.59%Dec 2015 |
| Sharpe | 0.59 | 0.59 |
| Sortino | 1.01 | 1.01 |
| Best year | 63.68% | 63.95% |
| Worst year | -28.33% | -28.25% |
| Final balance | $90,838 | $92,959 |
Correlation of monthly returns: 1.00. Wondering if you need both? Check their fund overlap →
All figures are total returns: every dividend and distribution is reinvested on its ex-date, and prices are split-adjusted. See the methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which has performed better, GLD or IAU?
Over 2005-02-28 to 2026-07-31, IAU performed better: 10.93% annualized versus 10.81% for GLD, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How similar are GLD and IAU?
Their monthly returns have a correlation of 1.00 over the common period. GLD is SPDR Gold Shares; IAU is iShares Gold Trust Shares.
Which is riskier, GLD or IAU?
Over the common period GLD had 17.17% annualized volatility and a -42.91% max drawdown, versus 17.14% and -42.59% for IAU.