IAU vs SCHD
ishares Gold Trust vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, IAU or SCHD?
Gold against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IAU | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $64.4B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 1 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -0.36% | +24.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.40% | +28.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.71%Best | +15.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.01%Best | +9.90% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,874Best | $16,032 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2005 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.9 years).
IAU vs SCHD 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
IAU vs SCHD Performance
ishares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year IAU returned +18.40% while SCHD returned +28.14%. Year to date, IAU is down 0.36% versus a gain of 24.59% for SCHD.
Over three years, IAU compounded at +30.71% per year against +15.58% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +19.01% and +9.90% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.34% annualized vs +6.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 13.6% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -42.1% for IAU and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAU charges 0.25% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $6 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAU currently yields 0.00% against 3.00% for SCHD.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAU and SCHD 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, IAU or SCHD?
IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAU or SCHD?
Over the past year IAU returned +18.40% vs +28.14% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IAU annualized +6.54% vs +11.34% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAU or SCHD?
IAU has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: IAU -42.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both IAU and SCHD?
IAU and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IAU or SCHD?
IAU yields 0.00% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than IAU?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.