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iShares Gold Trust(IAU)
Top performer 
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IAU
10/16/2026: IAU (4-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
IAU is a physically backed ETF that provides investors with direct exposure to the price of gold bullion. Managed by BlackRock, it is highly liquid, low-cost, and recognized as a primary tool for those seeking to diversify portfolios with precious metals. It serves as an effective hedge against inflation and geopolitical risk but provides no yield, making it less suitable for income-focused investors. Key risks include the volatility of gold prices, the opportunity cost of rising interest rates, and the lack of asset diversification. It is best suited for long-term investors or active traders looking to manage market exposure through physical gold.
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-yielding asset and does not offer the capital appreciation potential typically sought by growth investors. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | Momentum traders often use IAU to play breakouts in the price of gold during periods of market uncertainty. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Value investors may use gold as a store of value or hedge against currency debasement rather than for fundamental valuation. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | As a non-yielding commodity, IAU provides no dividend or interest income to the holder. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | While gold acts as a hedge against market volatility, the price of the metal itself can be volatile over short timeframes. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Investors seeking a simple, low-cost way to gain exposure to gold as a hedge against inflation or geopolitical uncertainty.
Suitability
Best for long-term investors looking for portfolio diversification or tactical traders monitoring gold price trends.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | The price of gold can fluctuate significantly based on global economic data and central bank actions. |
| Market risk | Medium | IAU is susceptible to broad market sentiment shifts regarding inflation and safe-haven demand. |
| Concentration | High | The fund is entirely concentrated in one asset, gold, lacking the diversification of a multi-asset portfolio. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund has a very low expense ratio and tracks the price of gold effectively. |
| Liquidity | Low | The fund is highly liquid, making it easy to trade without significant impact on price. |
| Business/sector quality | Low / none | This is a commodity trust, not an operating business, so business quality risks are not applicable. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
IAU reflects the underlying volatility of the gold market, which can be moderate compared to equities but susceptible to sharp, event-driven moves.
Market Risk
The primary risk is a decline in the spot price of gold, which is influenced by macroeconomic factors beyond the fund's control.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commodity | Physical Gold Bullion | 99.8 | The fund holds physical gold in vaults to provide direct exposure to the price of the precious metal. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 0.2 | Small residual cash is held for administrative expenses and operational liquidity. |
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 75.78% | Avg. Invested days 87 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  5.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/16/2026 |
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