Average Daily Volume
7.76M
Fund Overview
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. The fund provides investors with a cost-effective and convenient way to gain exposure to the price of gold without the complexities of physical ownership. IAU holds physical gold bullion stored in secure vaults, and each share represents a fractional ownership interest in the trust's gold. The fund is designed for investors looking to hedge against inflation, diversify their portfolios, or gain exposure to the gold market. IAU is one of the largest gold ETFs, offering high liquidity and transparency.
- Asset Class
-
Commodity
- Industry
-
Gold Miners
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- N/A
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
0 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the IAU ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Provides direct exposure to the price of gold without the need for physical storage.
- Lower expense ratio compared to some competing gold ETFs, making it cost-effective for long-term investors.
- High liquidity due to its large asset base and active trading volume.
- Transparent holdings, with the fund's gold audited regularly and stored in secure vaults.
- Can serve as a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.
- Easily tradable on major exchanges, offering flexibility for investors.
Potential Risks
- Gold prices can be volatile, influenced by macroeconomic factors, interest rates, and geopolitical events.
- No yield or income generation, as gold does not pay dividends or interest.
- Storage and insurance costs are embedded in the expense ratio, which can erode returns over time.
- Potential tracking error between the ETF's performance and the actual spot price of gold.
- Regulatory changes or tax treatments could impact the fund's attractiveness.
- Competition from other gold-backed ETFs may affect liquidity or expense ratios.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+12.4%
|
+8.6%
|
-11.0%
|
-1.5%
|
-1.6%
|
-11.7%
|
+0.9%
|
+9.9%
|
-6.7%
|
+0.3%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+6.8%
|
+1.9%
|
+9.4%
|
+5.4%
|
0.0%
|
+0.3%
|
-0.6%
|
+5.0%
|
+11.8%
|
+3.6%
|
+5.3%
|
+2.2%
|
| 2024 |
-1.4%
|
+0.4%
|
+8.7%
|
+3.1%
|
+1.6%
|
-0.1%
|
+5.4%
|
+2.1%
|
+5.1%
|
+4.3%
|
-3.1%
|
-1.5%
|
| 2023 |
+5.8%
|
-5.4%
|
+7.9%
|
+0.9%
|
-1.4%
|
-2.2%
|
+2.2%
|
-1.2%
|
-4.8%
|
+7.4%
|
+2.5%
|
+1.3%
|
| 2022 |
-1.7%
|
+6.1%
|
+1.4%
|
-2.1%
|
-3.2%
|
-1.6%
|
-2.5%
|
-3.0%
|
-2.9%
|
-1.7%
|
+8.5%
|
+2.9%
|
| 2021 |
-3.2%
|
-6.3%
|
-1.1%
|
+3.6%
|
+7.6%
|
-7.0%
|
+2.5%
|
-0.1%
|
-3.2%
|
+1.6%
|
-0.7%
|
+3.4%
|
| 2020 |
+4.6%
|
-0.7%
|
0.0%
|
+6.9%
|
+2.6%
|
+2.8%
|
+11.0%
|
-0.5%
|
-4.2%
|
-0.6%
|
-5.3%
|
+7.0%
|
| 2019 |
+2.8%
|
-0.5%
|
-1.6%
|
-0.7%
|
+1.8%
|
+7.9%
|
+0.1%
|
+7.7%
|
-3.2%
|
+2.6%
|
-3.3%
|
+3.7%
|
| 2018 |
+3.3%
|
-2.0%
|
+0.6%
|
-0.9%
|
-1.3%
|
-3.5%
|
-2.3%
|
-2.0%
|
-0.6%
|
+2.1%
|
+0.3%
|
+5.0%
|
| 2017 |
+5.3%
|
+3.2%
|
-0.2%
|
+1.7%
|
-0.1%
|
-2.1%
|
+2.3%
|
+4.1%
|
-3.2%
|
-0.8%
|
+0.3%
|
+2.1%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
No holdings data available.
Related ETFs: IAU vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
IAU aims to track the daily price movement of gold bullion. The fund holds physical gold bars stored in secure vaults, and its shares represent fractional ownership of these holdings. Unlike actively managed funds, IAU passively tracks the price of gold, with no attempt to outperform the market. The fund is rebalanced periodically to ensure it accurately reflects the price of gold, and its holdings are audited regularly for transparency. IAU's structure eliminates the need for investors to handle physical gold, providing a convenient and liquid investment vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IAU backed by physical gold?
Yes, IAU holds physical gold bars stored in secure vaults, providing direct exposure to the price of gold.
How does IAU differ from gold mining ETFs?
IAU invests directly in physical gold, tracking its spot price. Gold mining ETFs invest in companies involved in gold extraction, which are subject to additional risks like operational performance and equity market fluctuations.
What are the main drivers of IAU's performance?
IAU's performance is tied to the spot price of gold, which is influenced by factors like inflation, interest rates, currency movements, and geopolitical stability.
What is IAU's expense ratio?
IAU has a competitive expense ratio of 0.25%, making it one of the lower-cost options among gold ETFs.
Can IAU be held in a retirement account?
Yes, IAU can be held in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs, providing a way to include gold exposure in retirement portfolios.
Industry Overview
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is part of the commodity ETFs sector, specifically focusing on precious metals. Gold has long been considered a store of value and a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Investing in gold ETFs like IAU allows investors to gain exposure to gold prices without the logistical challenges of owning physical bullion. The gold market is influenced by factors such as central bank policies, currency movements, and global economic conditions. IAU provides a straightforward way to invest in gold, making it a popular choice for both individual and institutional investors.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to other gold ETFs like GLD, IAU offers a lower expense ratio, making it more cost-effective for long-term investors. While both funds hold physical gold, IAU's smaller share price may appeal to investors seeking more flexibility in position sizing. Another competitor, SGOL, also provides physical gold exposure but stores its bullion in Switzerland, offering geographic diversification. Unlike gold mining ETFs such as GDX, which are subject to equity market risks, IAU provides direct exposure to the price of gold, making it a purer play on the commodity.
Issuer Overview
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is issued by BlackRock, one of the world's largest asset managers. BlackRock is known for its extensive lineup of ETFs under the iShares brand, offering investors access to a wide range of asset classes and investment strategies. The company's reputation for transparency, innovation, and investor education makes IAU a trusted choice for gold exposure.
Conclusion
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is a well-established and cost-effective way to gain exposure to the price of gold. Its physical gold holdings, low expense ratio, and high liquidity make it a popular choice for investors seeking a hedge against inflation or portfolio diversification. While gold can be volatile and does not generate income, IAU offers a transparent and convenient way to invest in this precious metal. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment goals before adding IAU to their portfolios.
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