Overview

Physically-backed gold ETF from BlackRock. Each share represents 1/100th of a troy oz of gold. Lower expense ratio than GLD at 0.25% vs 0.40%. Second-largest gold ETF globally after GLD.

Top Holdings

Fund Details

Investment Thesis

IAU provides the same physical gold exposure as GLD but at 0.25% expense ratio versus GLD's 0.40% — a 37.5% annual fee reduction. For long-term gold holders this difference compounds significantly over multi-year holding periods. The 1/100th oz per share structure versus GLD's 1/10th oz makes IAU more accessible to smaller investors. BlackRock's institutional credibility and JP Morgan's London custody make IAU the preferred lower-cost physical gold alternative to GLD.

Who It's For

Cost-conscious gold investors who want the same physically-backed gold exposure as GLD but prefer the lower ongoing expense ratio for long-term positions. The 0.15% annual fee savings compounds meaningfully for larger positions held over many years. Ideal for retirement accounts and long-term strategic gold allocations where minimizing total cost of ownership is the priority.

10-Year History

Historical figures are ETFHub estimates modelled from asset-class return patterns and may differ from official fund records. Data as of August 2026.

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