IAUM vs SPY
iShares Gold Trust Micro vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IAUM or SPY?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
IAUM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IAUM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Tie | 0.09%Tie |
| AUM | $7.8B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 2 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +0.35% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.50%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.40%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.32%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,186Best | $18,327 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.2 years).
IAUM vs SPY 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
IAUM vs SPY Performance
iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IAUM returned +19.50% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, IAUM is up 0.35% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, IAUM compounded at +31.40% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.32% and +12.88% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAUM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.5% for SPY. 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 -26.3% for IAUM and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.18. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAUM charges 0.09% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $9 annually. On income, IAUM currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAUM and SPY 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, IAUM or SPY?
IAUM has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SPY charges 0.09%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IAUM or SPY?
Over the past year IAUM returned +19.50% vs +17.51% for SPY, so IAUM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAUM or SPY?
IAUM has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IAUM -26.3% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both IAUM and SPY?
IAUM and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.18, 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, IAUM or SPY?
IAUM yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IAUM?
IAUM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.