IAU vs VIG
iShares Gold Trust vs Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares
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.
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares (VIG) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.04%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.56%. Launched in 2006, the fund has a 20-year track record.
Quick Verdict
VIG is significantly cheaper at 0.04% vs 0.25% expense ratio, saving you approximately $415 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, IAU has significantly outperformed with a 50.0% return vs 22.2%.
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
VIG Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Broadcom Inc.AVGO | 5.92% |
| Apple Inc.AAPL | 3.89% |
| Eli Lilly and CompanyLLY | 3.70% |
| Microsoft CorporationMSFT | 3.45% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM | 3.42% |
| Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM | 2.87% |
| Johnson & JohnsonJNJ | 2.65% |
| Walmart Inc.WMT | 2.48% |
| Visa Inc.V | 2.23% |
| Costco Wholesale CorporationCOST | 1.98% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose VIG 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.