Dividend comparison

IAU vs BAR: Which Is Better?

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

Start freeOpen interactive compareSee pricing
IAU vs BAR: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. BAR is cheaper at 0.17% a year versus 0.25% for IAU. On $10,000 that is $8 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, BAR returned 128.8% versus 127.9% for IAU, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $22,878 in BAR and $22,790 in IAU.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -26.4% for IAU and -26.3% for BAR from peak to trough.
  • Size. IAU is the larger fund with $61.7 billion in assets, against $1.3 billion for BAR.

Bottom line: BAR has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. IAU 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.
MetricIAU
iShares Gold Trust
BAR
GraniteShares Gold Trust
Price$77.44$40.54
Beta0.410.44
Max drawdown (5Y)-26.4%-26.3%
Market cap$62.03B$1.34B
ExchangeAMEXAMEX
Expense ratio0.25%0.17%
Assets under management$61.73B$1.33B
Number of holdings—1
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

IAU

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

BAR

—/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 $22,790 in IAU and $22,878 in BAR.
PeriodIAUBAR
1 month-5.83%-5.90%
3 months2.77%2.76%
Year to date-4.60%-4.59%
1 year-6.13%-6.09%
3 years106.67%107.05%
5 years127.90%128.78%
  • IAU
  • BAR
77188299202120222023202420252026228229

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.
  • IAU
  • BAR
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%100.0%Real Estate100.0%

Quick verdict

BAR has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. IAU 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 IAU vs BAR fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Start freeInteractive DRIP compare

Frequently asked questions

Is IAU or BAR 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 IAU and BAR?
iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ETF listed on AMEX. GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) 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, IAU or BAR?
BAR has the lower expense ratio. IAU charges 0.25% a year and BAR charges 0.17%, a difference of $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IAU or BAR?
Over the last 5 years, BAR has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IAU returned 127.9% and BAR returned 128.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IAU or BAR?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IAU has been riskier: IAU fell as much as 26.4% and BAR as much as 26.3%. Their betas are 0.41 and 0.44.
Can I hold both IAU and BAR?
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 IAU vs BAR with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IAU and BAR 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.

Related comparisons

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.