IAU: iShares Gold Trust returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds and ETCs backed by physical gold, silver or platinum.
Data updated October 2026
IAU · US exchange · USDCategory: Gold and precious metals ETFsData from October 2006
From October 2006 to October 2026 IAU returned 10.0% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $67,785.
Its deepest fall was 45.1%, from August 2011 to December 2015, and it took about 107 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 18.5%; at the last close it was 23.5% below its high.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +10.0%
- 1-year return
- +0.4%
- 5 years, a year
- +18.0%
- 10 years, a year
- +12.4%
- Annual volatility
- 18.5%
- Maximum drawdown
- −45.1%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.53
- Worst year
- 2013: −28.3%
Trailing returns
| Period | IAU |
|---|---|
| 1 year | +0.4% |
| 3 years, a year | +27.5% |
| 5 years, a year | +18.0% |
| 10 years, a year | +12.4% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
IAU drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IAU |
|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −4.3% |
| 2025 | +63.9% |
| 2024 | +26.9% |
| 2023 | +12.8% |
| 2022 | −0.6% |
| 2021 | −3.9% |
| 2020 | +25.8% |
| 2019 | +18.0% |
| 2018 | −1.8% |
| 2017 | +12.9% |
| 2016 | +8.3% |
| 2015 | −10.6% |
| 2014 | −2.1% |
| 2013 | −28.2% |
| 2012 | +6.9% |
| 2011 | +9.6% |
| 2010 | +29.5% |
| 2009 | +23.9% |
| 2008 | +5.1% |
| 2007 | +30.4% |
| 2006(partial) | +9.6% |
IAU compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of IAU?
From October 2006 to October 2026 IAU returned 10.0% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +18.0% a year. Over the last 12 months: +0.4%.
What was the worst drawdown of IAU?
45.1%, from August 2011 to December 2015; it took about 107 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is IAU?
Annual volatility was 18.5% over the period. Its worst month was −16.3% and 53% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2013 (−28.3%).
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Other Gold and precious metals ETFs
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.