IAU vs VTV
iShares Gold Trust vs Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares
Last updated: 2026-04-09
iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund 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 Value Index Fund ETF Shares (VTV) is an exchange-traded fund that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. value stocks trading at below-market valuations. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.97%. Launched in 2004, the fund has a 22-year track record.
Quick Verdict
VTV 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 51.5% return vs 20.6%.
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
VTV Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc.BRK.B | 3.07% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM | 2.98% |
| Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM | 2.50% |
| Johnson & JohnsonJNJ | 2.33% |
| Walmart Inc.WMT | 2.18% |
| Micron Technology, Inc.MU | 1.81% |
| AbbVie Inc.ABBV | 1.60% |
| The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG | 1.52% |
| The Home Depot, Inc.HD | 1.47% |
| Chevron CorporationCVX | 1.39% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose VTV 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.