IAU vs SGOV
iShares Gold Trust vs iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond 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 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to short-duration U.S. Treasury bonds with low interest rate risk. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.09%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.95%. Launched in 2020, the fund has a 6-year track record.
Quick Verdict
SGOV is significantly cheaper at 0.09% vs 0.25% expense ratio, saving you approximately $315 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, IAU has significantly outperformed with a 50.0% return vs 0.1%.
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
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose SGOV 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.