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Head-to-head · ETF vs ETF
SPDR Gold Shares vs iShares Gold Trust
vs
GLD vs IAU: the verdict
How GLD and IAU compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.
The verdict
CleaRank Financial AI favours
IAU
GLD
IAU
19/100
AI score
21/100
-3.9%
1-year change
-3.8%
20.8%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
20.9%
30.3
RSI (14-day)
30.3
The verdict
Among the two, iShares Gold Trust (IAU) takes the lead on CleaRank's model with a score of 21/100, which earns it a Sell rating. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) sits at 19/100 and carries a Strong Sell. Cost separates them most: IAU's expense ratio is 0.25%.
Outlook
GLD would need to regain its 50-day average at $390.57 and its 200-day at $412.92 to turn its downtrend. IAU would need to regain its 50-day average at $80.07 and its 200-day at $84.62 to turn its downtrend.
Price, side by side
Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.
Rebased price
-6%-4%-2%0%-6.6%-6.6%
Oct '26
-5%0%+5%+10%+15%-4.2%-4.2%
Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
-15%-10%-5%0%-16%-16%
Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
0%+10%+20%+30%-3.8%-3.9%
Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
0%+50%+100%+56%+55%
Sep '24Feb '25Jul '25Dec '25May '26Oct '26
Over 1 year: GLD lost 3.9% and IAU lost 3.8%, a gap of 0.1 points in IAU's favour.
Key metrics
Size and recent performance for each.
Size and market performance
GLD
IAU
$141.7B
Size (net assets / market cap)
$62.2B
16.2M
Volume (shares, last session)
22.5M
1%
Position in 52-week range
1%
-8.9%
Price against 50-day average
-8.9%
Reading
IAU carries the lower cost of the two. Its expense ratio is 0.25%, while GLD's is 0.40%. For a $10,000 holding, GLD costs $40.00 a year and IAU costs $25.00. GLD is the bigger fund by assets, with $141.7B in net assets compared with $62.2B for IAU.
Momentum and sentiment
The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.
Indicators side by side
GLD
IAU
19/100
AI score
21/100
30.3
RSI (14-day)
30.3
-8.9%
Price against 50-day average
-8.9%
-13.8%
Price against 200-day average
-13.8%
Technicals
GLD is in a downtrend, trading 8.91% below its 50-day average and 13.84% below its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 30.3, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. IAU is in a downtrend, trading 8.91% below its 50-day average and 13.80% below its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 30.3, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative.
Sentiment
Over the past month GLD has slipped 6.58%, and across three months it has dropped 4.24%. IAU has lost 6.61% in the last month and has likewise fallen 4.24% over three months.
Risk and practical tips
How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.
Risk measures
GLD
IAU
20.8%
Volatility (30d, yearly)
20.9%
0.78
Sharpe ratio
0.79
Risk
They move about the same on an average day, 1.36% for GLD and 1.36% for IAU. Their worst falls in the price history were 28.3% for GLD (January 2026 to October 2026) and 28.2% for IAU.
ProTips
- For GLD, watch the 20-day EMA at $375.10 above the price and the 52-week low at $354.67 below it.
- For IAU, watch the 20-day EMA at $76.91 above the price and the 52-week low at $72.72 below it.
- Costs compound: GLD charges $40.00 a year on $10,000 and IAU $25.00.
GLD vs IAU: long-term scenarios
Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.
Simulated growth of $10,000
$10K$20K$30K$40K$43.5K$42.9K$22.3K$22K
202620282030203220342036
GLD
IAU
$11,234
Downside, 2036 (10th)
$11,463
$21,964
Base case, 2036 (median)
$22,327
$42,945
Upside, 2036 (90th)
$43,488
In the median simulated path, $10,000 in GLD grows to about $22,000 and $10,000 in IAU to about $22,300 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.
Trade plans for both
Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.
Actionable Trade Plans
Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative
3%
Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
GLD
Current: $355.78
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$362.90
Aggressive
$355.78
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$373.78
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
-5% from current
$337.99
-10% from current
$320.20
-15% from current
$302.41
IAU
Current: $72.94
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$74.40
Aggressive
$72.94
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$76.63
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
-5% from current
$69.29
-10% from current
$65.65
-15% from current
$62.00
Calculate Your Trade
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Trading involves risk of loss. Note: The AI favored IAU based on income/dividend profile, on today's data.
GLD vs IAU: questions people ask
Answered from the figures on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, GLD or IAU?+
On CleaRank's model IAU scores higher, 21/100 (Sell) against 19/100 (Strong Sell) for GLD. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, GLD or IAU?+
IAU has done better: its price fell 3.76% over the past year, while GLD fell 3.88%.
Which is cheaper to own, GLD or IAU?+
Holding IAU costs less each year. Its expense ratio is 0.25%, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
Which is riskier, GLD or IAU?+
On the risk measures we track, the two look much alike. GLD's average daily move is 1.36%, the same as IAU's. The worst fall in price history was 28.3% for GLD and 28.2% for IAU.
Which has stronger momentum right now, GLD or IAU?+
Their 14-day RSI readings are level at 30.3. Both MACD lines are negative. Readings above 70 or below 30 mark stretched momentum.
Which fund is larger, GLD or IAU?+
GLD is the bigger fund. Its net assets total $141.7B, while IAU holds $62.2B.
How would $10,000 have grown in GLD or IAU?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $29,177 today in GLD and $30,670 in IAU.
Which is closer to its 52-week high, GLD or IAU?+
IAU is closer: it trades 30.13% below its 52-week high of $104.40, against 30.20% below $509.70 for GLD.
Are GLD and IAU in an uptrend?+
GLD is in a downtrend, trading 8.91% below its 50-day average and 13.84% below its 200-day. IAU is in a downtrend, trading 8.91% below its 50-day average and 13.80% below its 200-day.