IAU vs VO
iShares Gold Trust vs Vanguard Mid-Cap 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 Mid-Cap Index Fund ETF Shares (VO) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to mid-cap U.S. companies balancing growth potential and stability. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.46%. Launched in 2004, the fund has a 22-year track record.
Quick Verdict
VO is significantly cheaper at 0.03% vs 0.25% expense ratio, saving you approximately $435 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, IAU has significantly outperformed with a 50.0% return vs 23.9%.
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
VO Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Newmont CorporationNEM | 1.46% |
| Corning IncorporatedGLW | 1.20% |
| Howmet Aerospace Inc.HWM | 1.09% |
| Constellation Energy CorporationCEG | 1.06% |
| Vertiv Holdings CoVRT | 0.99% |
| Western Digital CorporationWDC | 0.99% |
| Seagate Technology Holdings plcSTX | 0.90% |
| Quanta Services, Inc.PWR | 0.87% |
| Cummins Inc.CMI | 0.83% |
| CRH plcCRH | 0.83% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose VO 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.