Dividend comparison

GLD vs IAU: Which Is Better?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Gold Trust, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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GLD vs IAU: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. IAU is cheaper at 0.25% a year versus 0.40% for GLD. On $10,000 that is $15 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, IAU returned 127.9% versus 126.3% for GLD, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $22,790 in IAU and $22,627 in GLD.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -26.4% for GLD and -26.4% for IAU from peak to trough.
  • Size. GLD is the larger fund with $141.1 billion in assets, against $61.7 billion for IAU.

Bottom line: IAU has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. GLD does not lead on any of the measures compared here.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricGLD
SPDR Gold Shares
IAU
iShares Gold Trust
Price$377.65$77.44
Beta0.450.41
Max drawdown (5Y)-26.4%-26.4%
Market cap$141.19B$62.03B
ExchangeAMEXAMEX
Expense ratio0.40%0.25%
Assets under management$141.12B$61.73B
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

GLD

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

IAU

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Strategy: Precious metals
Funds that hold physical gold or silver in vaults, or the companies that mine it. Physical-metal funds that hold the same bullion differ mainly in fee, share price and trading liquidity, while miner funds behave like leveraged equity bets on the metal price. None of them pay a dividend from the metal itself.

Metal prices can fall for years with no income to cushion the decline, and gains in physical-metal funds can be taxed at the higher collectibles rate in the US.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $22,627 in GLD and $22,790 in IAU.
PeriodGLDIAU
1 month-5.86%-5.83%
3 months2.51%2.77%
Year to date-4.71%-4.60%
1 year-6.33%-6.13%
3 years105.70%106.67%
5 years126.27%127.90%
  • GLD
  • IAU
77187297202120222023202420252026226228

Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • GLD
  • IAU
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%100.0%Basic Materials100.0%Real Estate100.0%

Quick verdict

IAU has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. GLD does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how GLD vs IAU fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
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Frequently asked questions

Is GLD or IAU better for dividend income?
Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.
What is the difference between GLD and IAU?
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, GLD or IAU?
IAU has the lower expense ratio. GLD charges 0.40% a year and IAU charges 0.25%, a difference of $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, GLD or IAU?
Over the last 5 years, IAU has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: GLD returned 126.3% and IAU returned 127.9%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, GLD or IAU?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, GLD has been riskier: GLD fell as much as 26.4% and IAU as much as 26.4%. Their betas are 0.45 and 0.41.
Can I hold both GLD and IAU?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare GLD vs IAU with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how GLD and IAU fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.