IAU vs IEFA
iShares Gold Trust vs iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
Last updated: 2026-04-10
iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to gold securities. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.25%. Launched in 2005, the fund has a 21-year track record.
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to equities in developed international markets outside the U.S.. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.07%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.33%. Launched in 2012, the fund has a 14-year track record.
Quick Verdict
IEFA is significantly cheaper at 0.07% vs 0.25% expense ratio, saving you approximately $355 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, IAU has significantly outperformed with a 50.0% return vs 33.2%.
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
IEFA Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| ASML Holding N.V.!ams/ASML | 2.18% |
| AstraZeneca PLC!lon/AZN | 1.26% |
| HSBC Holdings plc!lon/HSBA | 1.22% |
| Novartis AG!swx/NOVN | 1.16% |
| Roche Holding AG!swx/ROP | 1.11% |
| Shell plc!lon/SHEL | 1.03% |
| Nestlé S.A.!swx/NESN | 1.02% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia!asx/CBA | 0.84% |
| Siemens Aktiengesellschaft!etr/SIE | 0.82% |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.!tyo/8306 | 0.81% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose IEFA if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose IAU if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.