IAU vs VXUS
ishares Gold Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IAU or VXUS?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $64.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.36% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.40% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.71%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.01%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,874Best | $15,260 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2005 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.6 years).
IAU vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
IAU vs VXUS Performance
ishares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IAU returned +18.40% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, IAU is down 0.36% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, IAU compounded at +30.71% per year against +19.44% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +19.01% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IAU has the edge at +7.55% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -45.1% for IAU and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.31. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAU charges 0.25% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $5 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAU currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAU and VXUS 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 VXUS?
IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAU or VXUS?
Over the past year IAU returned +18.40% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IAU annualized +7.55% vs +4.76% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAU or VXUS?
IAU has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: IAU -45.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IAU and VXUS?
IAU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.31, 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 VXUS?
IAU yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IAU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.