iShares Gold ETF (IAU) Performance
IAU total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −7.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −3.1% total return
- 5 years
- +17.1% a year
- 10 years
- +11.9% a year
- Since first price
- +10.5% a year since 2005
IAU trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | IAU total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −6.7% | −6.7% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.3% | −1.3% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −14.9% | −14.9% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −7.4% | −7.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | −3.1% | −3.1% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +101.2%+26.2%/yr | +101.2% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +120.1%+17.1%/yr | +120.1% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +207.7%+11.9%/yr | +207.7% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +135.0%+5.9%/yr | +135.0% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| 20 years | +550.9%+9.8%/yr | +550.9% | +696.9%+10.9%/yr | +1,839.9%+16.0%/yr | +79.6%+3.0%/yr |
| Since inceptionJan 28, 2005 | +780.2%+10.5%/yr | +780.2% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: IAU vs SPY
From Jan 28, 2005: IAU grew to $88,018, SPY to $96,150.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
IAU returns by calendar year
14 of 20 full years positive. Best 2025 (+63.9%), worst 2013 (−28.3%). 2026 is year to date.
IAU annual returns table
| Year | IAU | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −7.4% | −26.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +63.9% | −10.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +26.9% | −8.1% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +12.8% | −11.3% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −0.6% | −20.9% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −4.0% | −13.8% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +25.0% | −14.0% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +18.0% | −6.6% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −1.8% | −13.7% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +12.9% | −7.9% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +8.3% | −17.6% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −10.6% | −19.6% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −2.1% | −17.5% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −28.3% | −29.8% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +6.9% | −13.9% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +9.6% | −18.5% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +29.5% | −7.9% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +23.9% | −12.9% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | +5.1% | −29.2% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | +30.4% | −7.6% | +5.1% | +19.0% | +6.6% |
| 2006 | +22.3% | −22.0% | +15.8% | +7.1% | +3.9% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
IAU largest drawdowns
Now 26.0% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | −45.1% | Dec 2, 2015 | Jul 27, 2020 | 4.3 years | 8.9 years |
| Mar 17, 2008 | −29.2% | Nov 12, 2008 | Sep 16, 2009 | 8 months | 1.5 years |
| Jan 29, 2026 | −26.4% | Jul 16, 2026 | not yet | 6 months | 9 months so far |
| May 11, 2006 | −22.0% | Jun 14, 2006 | Sep 18, 2007 | 34 days | 1.4 years |
| Aug 6, 2020 | −21.8% | Sep 26, 2022 | Mar 4, 2024 | 2.1 years | 3.6 years |
| Dec 2, 2009 | −12.7% | Feb 8, 2010 | May 11, 2010 | 2 months | 5 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
IAU risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +30.7% | +18.5% | +11.9% | +10.8% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 17.2% | 15.5% | 17.3% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.29 | 0.87 | 0.66 | — |
| Sortino ratio | 2.28 | 1.54 | 1.15 | — |
| Best month | +12.4% | +12.4% | +12.4% | +12.7% |
| Worst month | −11.7% | −11.7% | −11.7% | −16.3% |
| Best 12 months | +83.9% | +83.9% | +83.9% | +83.9% |
| Worst 12 months | +7.3% | −8.7% | −9.6% | −28.3% |
| Positive months | 69% | 58% | 52% | 53% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | -0.03 | 0.18 | 0.14 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | -0.02 | 0.16 | 0.14 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
IAU rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 250 | −28.3% | +10.3% | +83.9% | 70% |
| 3-year (a year) | 226 | −14.9% | +10.2% | +42.0% | 79% |
| 5-year (a year) | 202 | −7.9% | +8.2% | +24.7% | 77% |
| 10-year (a year) | 142 | −0.9% | +4.6% | +15.5% | 96% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2005. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
IAU performance overview
iShares Gold ETF (IAU) returned −3.1% over the past year and +11.9% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2005 it has returned +10.5% a year, turning $10,000 into about $88,018. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −45.1%, from Aug 22, 2011 to Dec 2, 2015, and it took 4.7 years to get back to the old high. IAU finished 14 of its 20 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2025 (+63.9%) and the worst 2013 (−28.3%). Volatility has been 17.3% a year.
Related: IAU chart. See the IAU overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
IAU performance FAQ
What is the IAU return over the past year?
IAU returned −3.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 3.1%.
What is the average annual return of IAU?
IAU has returned +17.1% a year over 5 years, +11.9% a year over 10 years, +10.5% a year since January 28, 2005 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in IAU be worth?
$10,000 invested in IAU at its first recorded close on January 28, 2005 would be worth about $88,018 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for IAU?
The worst calendar year was 2013, with a total return of −28.3%. The best was 2025 at +63.9%.
What is the biggest drawdown of IAU?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −45.1% between August 22, 2011 and December 2, 2015. It recovered to the old high on July 27, 2020, 4.7 years after the bottom.
How volatile is IAU?
Over the past 3 years IAU had an annualized volatility of 18.9% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.29 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).