IAU vs SPY: iShares Gold Trust vs SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust Comparison
Compare IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.
Key Differences
- 1Expense ratio: SPY 0.0945% vs IAU 0.25% (SPY is 0.16%p cheaper)
- 2Dividend yield: SPY 1.26% vs IAU 0%
- 3Category: IAU is Bonds & Commodities, SPY is Index Tracking
- 4Holdings: IAU 1 vs SPY 503
- 5Issuer: IAU (BlackRock(iShares)) vs SPY (State Street(SPDR))
Conclusion
SPY has an overall advantage with lower expense ratio (0.0945% vs 0.25%), higher dividend yield (1.26% vs 0%). However, IAU also offers Lower expense ratio than GLD, making it worth considering depending on your portfolio goals.
| Category | IAU | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | iShares Gold Trust | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust |
| Current Price | ... | ... |
| Category | Bonds & Commodities | Index Tracking |
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.0945% |
| Dividend Yield | 0% | 1.26% |
| Holdings | 1 | 503 |
IAU Top Holdings
- 1. Physical Gold
SPY Top Holdings
- 1. Apple
- 2. Microsoft
- 3. Amazon
- 4. Nvidia
- 5. Alphabet
IAU Features
- •Gold investing
- •Inflation hedge
- •Safe-haven asset
- •Low cost
SPY Features
- •Tracks the S&P 500
- •Highest liquidity
- •Market representativeness
- •Long-established ETF
Pros & Cons
IAU
Advantages
- ✓ Lower expense ratio than GLD
- ✓ Inflation defense
- ✓ Portfolio diversification
Disadvantages
- ⚠ No interest income
- ⚠ Storage costs
- ⚠ Disadvantaged during dollar strength
SPY
Advantages
- ✓ Total US market exposure
- ✓ Very high liquidity
- ✓ Stable management
Disadvantages
- ⚠ Market risk
- ⚠ Large-cap concentration
- ⚠ Potential growth slowdown
Investment Strategy
Best For: IAU
Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD
Best For: SPY
Use as core asset; maintain 30-50% portfolio allocation
Detailed Analysis
IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) They belong to different categories — Bonds & Commodities and Index Tracking — representing distinct investment areas. IAU: iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.25%. The portfolio holds 1 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.25% and dividend yield of 0%, its top holdings include Physical Gold. Key features include Gold investing, Inflation hedge, with Lower expense ratio than GLD being a major advantage. SPY: SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to broad market indices. It carries an expense ratio of 0.09%. The fund offers a dividend yield of approximately 1.26%. The portfolio holds 503 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.0945% and dividend yield of 1.26%, top holdings include Apple, Microsoft, Amazon. Notable features are Tracks the S&P 500, Highest liquidity, with Total US market exposure as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, SPY is 0.16%p cheaper, which can lead to significant cost savings through compounding over long-term investment. Over 20 years with a $100,000 investment, this difference can amount to thousands of dollars.
Investment Recommendation
IAU is suitable for Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD, while SPY is suitable for Use as core asset; maintain 30-50% portfolio allocation. Since they are in different categories, holding both can provide portfolio diversification benefits. Adjust the allocation based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. For beginners, we recommend a core-satellite strategy: choose a low-cost, well-diversified ETF as your core holding, and allocate the rest to satellite positions.
Key Summary
Both IAU and SPY are excellent ETFs for their respective investment objectives. The key is to choose based on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Rather than focusing on a single metric (dividend yield, fees, etc.), evaluate from a holistic portfolio perspective. Use our rebalancing calculator to easily determine the optimal asset allocation including both ETFs.
IAU vs SPY Investment Guide
Both IAU and SPY are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while SPY charges 0.0945%, giving SPY a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, IAU offers 0% while SPY offers 1.26%, making SPY the better choice for income investors.
When choosing between the two, consider your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If long-term growth is your priority, favor the ETF with lower fees and broader diversification. If you need steady cash flow, the higher-yielding ETF may be more suitable. You can also hold both in your portfolio for a complementary approach.
Regardless of which ETF you choose, maintaining your target allocation through regular rebalancing is key to long-term performance. Review your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually, and adjust if weights have drifted significantly. Our rebalancing calculator can automatically determine the buy/sell quantities for each holding.
5 Things to Check When Comparing ETFs
Expense Ratio: Even a 0.1% difference in fees can translate to thousands of dollars over long-term investing. When two ETFs track a similar index, the lower-cost option has the edge.
Tracking Index & Holdings: Even ETFs in the same category may track different indices. Review the top holdings and sector weights to find the best fit for your investment goals.
Dividend Policy: Compare dividend frequency (monthly vs quarterly), yield, and dividend growth rate. Monthly dividend ETFs may be preferable if you need regular cash flow.
Trading Volume & Liquidity: Sufficient daily trading volume ensures you can buy and sell at fair prices. Low-volume ETFs may have wider bid-ask spreads, increasing your trading costs.
Portfolio Role: Determine whether the ETF serves as a core or satellite holding in your portfolio, and size your position accordingly.