What is the primary difference in structure between IAUM and SGOL?

Both IAUM and SGOL are Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) designed to track the price of gold. While IAUM is issued by iShares and launched in 2021, SGOL is managed by Abrdn and has a longer history since 2009. Structurally, they both hold physical gold or gold-related assets to mirror spot gold prices, meaning neither fund typically pays dividends. Investors use them for exposure to commodity markets without buying physical bars.

How do physical gold ETFs track market performance?

Physical gold ETFs like IAUM and SGOL aim to track the spot price of gold bullion. This means their net asset value (NAV) moves in close alignment with the metal's market price. However, they do not track a stock index or a specific corporate entity. The performance is driven by gold supply and demand dynamics, currency fluctuations, and macroeconomic sentiment rather than earnings reports or dividend yields from companies.

How do the expense ratios of IAUM and SGOL compare?

IAUM charges a lower annual expense ratio of 0.09%, whereas SGOL has an expense ratio of 0.17%. This 0.08% percentage point difference means that, all else being equal, IAUM is cheaper to hold annually. Over time, this fee gap can affect net returns, as higher costs reduce the total profit an investor retains from the gold price appreciation. Investors should consider these ongoing costs when evaluating long-term holding potential.

Does the difference in inception date matter for investors?

IAUM was established on Jun 15, 2021, while SGOL launched on Sep 9, 2009. A longer track record, like SGOL’s, provides more historical data on how the fund handles different market conditions, such as price volatility or liquidity stress. Conversely, IAUM’s newer structure may reflect modern operational efficiencies, such as its lower fee, but lacks the multi-cycle historical proof that older funds like SGOL possess.

How do dividend yields work for these gold ETFs?

Both IAUM and SGOL report a dividend yield of 0.00%. This is typical for physical commodity ETFs because gold itself does not generate income or yield. Returns for investors rely entirely on capital appreciation, meaning the price of the gold goes up. Unlike equity ETFs that distribute dividends from company profits, these funds retain any minor income generated by lending gold or interest on cash balances, usually reflected in the NAV rather than paid out as cash.

What is the total market exposure provided by each fund?

As of September 2026, IAUM holds $8.1 billion in net assets, making it slightly larger than SGOL, which has $7.4 billion. Both are classified as Commodities Focused. While their top holdings are not listed in the provided data, they are designed to offer exposure to the global gold market. The size of the fund can influence trading volume and liquidity, but both are established vehicles for accessing the gold commodity sector.

How similar are the top holdings of IAUM and SGOL?

The provided data indicates that there are none among the listed top holdings shared between IAUM and SGOL. This is expected for physical gold ETFs, as their primary holding is gold bullion itself, which may not be categorized as a traditional 'stock' holding in data feeds. If specific corporate holdings were present, a 'none shared' result would suggest distinct strategies, but here it simply reflects the nature of tracking a single physical commodity.

Which investing goals are typically associated with IAUM and SGOL?

Investors often consider IAUM and SGOL for portfolio diversification, inflation hedging, or risk management during times of geopolitical or economic uncertainty. They are not typically used for income generation or growth in the traditional equity sense. A goal might be to allocate a small percentage of a portfolio to non-correlated assets. Since both track gold, the choice often comes down to preference for lower fees (IAUM) or a longer operational history (SGOL).

Where can I find more detailed information on fund custody?

While IAUM and SGOL are physical gold ETFs, the provided data blocks do not detail specific custody arrangements or vault locations. For transparency on these operational aspects, investors should refer to the official issuer websites (BlackRock for IAUM and Abrdn for SGOL) or the fund prospectuses. These documents provide comprehensive legal and structural details, including who holds the gold and how it is audited, which are critical for verifying the 'physical' backing.

What does 'not available' mean for sector weights in this comparison?

The data shows 'sector weights: not available' for both funds. This is normal for commodity ETFs because they do not hold equities across sectors like Technology or Healthcare. Instead, they hold a single asset class: gold. Therefore, sector allocation metrics, which measure diversification across industries, are irrelevant. Investors should look at the underlying commodity price performance instead, as the fund's return is driven by the gold market rather than broad economic sectors.

How does liquidity impact trading these gold ETFs?

Liquidity is influenced by Net Assets and trading volume. IAUM has $8.1 billion in assets and SGOL has $7.4 billion, both indicating high liquidity compared to smaller niche ETFs. High liquidity generally means tighter bid-ask spreads, allowing investors to enter or exit positions with less price slippage. While both are large, investors should check real-time trading volumes during execution, as this can fluctuate based on market interest in gold at that specific time.

Is one fund definitively better than the other based on this data?

The data does not provide a financial advice conclusion. IAUM offers a lower cost (0.09% vs 0.17%) and a larger asset base ($8.1bn vs $7.4bn), while SGOL has a longer track record since 2009. The 'best' choice depends on the individual investor's priority: minimising ongoing fees might favour IAUM, whereas valuing historical operational longevity might favour SGOL. Both serve the same primary function of tracking gold prices.

IAUM vs SGOL

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) and SGOL (Abrdn Gold Etf Abrdn Physical Gold Shares Etf). This page reviews fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market. IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, while SGOL has a 0.17% expense ratio. Top holdings are not available for both. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

IAUM

Metric

SGOL

0.09%

Expense Ratio

0.17%

0.00%

Dividend Yield

0.00%

$8.09B

Net Assets

$7.43B

–

Holdings

Jun 15, 2021

Inception Date

Sep 9, 2009

–

Index Tracked

–

Commodities Focused

Fund Category

Commodities Focused

IAUM costs about $8.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

Discover More Comparisons

IAUM vs PHYS

Compare IAUM and PHYS gold ETFs. Review expense ratios, dividends, holdings availability, tracking details and fund inception dates to assess differences.

PHYS vs SGOL

Compare PHYS and SGOL gold ETFs. Review 0.41% vs 0.17% fees, 0% dividends, physical bullion holdings, and tracking methodologies for informed research.

IAU vs SGOL

Compare IAU and SGOL ETFs. Review 0.25% vs 0.17% expense ratios, $64.9B vs $7.4B assets, and 0% yields. Assess gold tracking and physical holdings data.

Investment Analysis

IAUM

Pros

The fund charges a lower expense ratio of 0.09%, reducing cost relative to the comparator.
Its large $8.1 billion asset base supports trading and reflects substantial investor adoption.
A recent inception date signals a more up-to-date structure within the iShares product suite.

Considerations

The expense ratio is higher than many equity ETFs, reflecting storage and administration costs.
The fund does not generate dividend income, so total returns depend entirely on gold prices.
Its 2021 inception gives a shorter track record than funds launched in 2009.

SGOL

Pros

Launched in 2009, the fund offers a significantly longer track record than the comparator.
With $7.4 billion in net assets, it is a large, widely recognised gold investment vehicle.
Physical backing is a core feature of the fund, though the data block does not detail custody arrangements.

Considerations

It charges a higher expense ratio of 0.17%, increasing ongoing costs versus the comparator.
The fund pays no dividend, so investors rely on gold price movements for total returns.
Issuer and top holdings information are not available in the data block, limiting transparency.

Related Market Insights

The New Gold Rush: Fed Probe Sparks Flight to Safety

A criminal probe into the Fed Chair has sent gold prices soaring to record highs. Discover how Nemo's Gold Rush Neme helps investors gain exposure to this ultimate safe haven asset.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

13 January 2026

Read Insight

Related Market Insights

The New Gold Rush: Fed Probe Sparks Flight to Safety

A criminal probe into the Fed Chair has sent gold prices soaring to record highs. Discover how Nemo's Gold Rush Neme helps investors gain exposure to this ultimate safe haven asset.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

13 January 2026

Read Insight

About IAUM and SGOL

IAUM (IAUM)

The iShares Gold Trust (IAUM) is an exchange-traded fund designed to offer investors exposure to the gold market. By holding undivided beneficial interests in gold bullion, the fund aims to reflect the performance of the spot price of gold, less the fund's expenses and liabilities. With a notably low expense ratio of 0.09%, it can be an accessible vehicle for those seeking to diversify portfolios with commodities. Investors should note that while gold is often viewed as a store of value and potential hedge against economic uncertainty, its price can be volatile and influenced by global monetary policies and market sentiment. IAUM does not distribute dividends, so returns depend solely on changes in the price of gold. As with any investment, values can fall as well as rise, and it is important to consider your own circumstances before investing.

SGOL (SGOL)

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Gold Rush: Could Fed Probe Drive Safe Haven Demand?

An unprecedented criminal probe into the Federal Reserve Chair has sparked a flight to safety, driving gold prices to record highs. This theme focuses on gold miners and related companies that stand to benefit from sustained demand for this safe-haven asset.

Published: 13 January 2026

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Gold Rush: Could Fed Probe Drive Safe Haven Demand?

Published: 13 January 2026

Explore Basket

Buy IAUM or SGOL in Nemo

🆓

Zero Commission

Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.

🔒

Trusted & Regulated

Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.

💰

6% Interest on Cash

Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.

IAUM vs SGOL

Fund Snapshot