IAU vs IWD
iShares Gold Trust vs iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF
Last updated: 2026-04-02
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 Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. value stocks trading at below-market valuations. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.18%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.67%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.
Quick Verdict
IWD has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.18% vs 0.25%), saving about $137 per $10,000 over 10 years. Over the past year, IAU has significantly outperformed with a 52.4% return vs 14.4%. Income investors may prefer IWD for its higher yield (1.7% vs 0.0%).
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
IWD Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc.BRK.B | 2.89% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM | 2.57% |
| Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM | 2.42% |
| Johnson & JohnsonJNJ | 1.94% |
| Amazon.com, Inc.AMZN | 1.76% |
| Walmart Inc.WMT | 1.61% |
| Alphabet Inc.GOOG | 1.54% |
| Micron Technology, Inc.MU | 1.34% |
| Chevron CorporationCVX | 1.32% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose IWD 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.
Choose IWD if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.