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iShares Gold Trust(IAU)
Top performer 
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
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Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IAU
09/17/2026: IAU (4-star) is a WEAK-BUY. BUY for 28 days. Simulated Profits (-0.99%). Updated daily EoD!
The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) provides direct, physically-backed exposure to the price of gold bullion, acting as a standard tool for portfolio diversification. Its primary strengths are its low expense ratio, high institutional liquidity, and the backing of BlackRock, making it one of the most accessible gold ETFs. It is best used as a non-correlated hedge against inflation and systemic market risk. However, investors should be aware that the fund carries no yield and is subject to significant price volatility linked to macro conditions like real interest rates. It is most appropriate for investors seeking a long-term store of value or a tactical hedge against market uncertainty.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Gold is a non-growth asset that does not produce earnings, making it a diversification tool rather than a core growth driver. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | Momentum traders often utilize gold ETFs when the commodity enters a sustained uptrend supported by market volatility. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | While gold acts as a store of value, it lacks the valuation metrics like P/E ratios used in traditional value investing. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | IAU provides no yield or dividends, which is a disadvantage for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | Gold can serve as a risk-off hedge, but its price volatility can be significant compared to cash or short-term bonds. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking a simple, low-cost way to gain exposure to gold for portfolio diversification or as a hedge against inflation and market volatility.
Suitability
IAU is best suited for long-term investors looking for a 'buy and hold' asset for diversification or for tactical traders seeking to hedge short-term market risks.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium / high | Gold prices can fluctuate significantly based on macro data and monetary policy shifts. |
| Market risk | Medium | The fund is directly exposed to systemic commodity market movements. |
| Concentration | High | The fund is 100% concentrated in a single commodity, lacking diversification. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund tracks its benchmark closely and maintains a transparent, competitive expense ratio. |
| Liquidity | Low | High trading volumes ensure that liquidity risk is minimal for most retail investors. |
| Business/sector quality | Low / none | As a physical commodity trust, it does not rely on business earnings or corporate sector health. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
IAU experiences moderate to high volatility, mirroring the daily spot price swings of gold in global markets.
Market Risk
The primary risk is the price of gold itself, which is influenced by macro factors and global demand that are outside the control of the fund.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commodity | Physical Gold Bullion | 99.9 | Provides direct exposure to the spot price of gold without the need to store physical bullion. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 0.1 | Small residual cash position held for daily operational and administrative expenses. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 83.14% | Avg. Invested days 85 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/17/2026 |
ETF Fundamentals 
Source: EOD Historical Data • Updated Sep 17, 2026
Fund Basics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fund Size (AUM) | $64.59B |
| Issuer | iShares |
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% |
| Distribution Yield | 0% |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2005 |
Performance
| Period | Total Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | -1.05% |
| 1 Year | +15.50% |
| 3 Year | +30.17% |
| 5 Year | +19.19% |
| 10 Year | +12.25% |
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 1Y Volatility | 29.74% |
| 3Y Volatility | 19.49% |
| 3Y Sharpe Ratio | 1.32 |
Ratings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Morningstar Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Benchmark | Morningstar Lng-Only Cmdty ... |
Top Sectors
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% |
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Characteristics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Holdings Turnover | 0.0% |
| Distribution Yield | 0% |
Top Holdings
| Holding | Weight |
|---|---|
| 100.00% |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
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