IAU vs VNQ: iShares Gold Trust vs Vanguard Real Estate ETF Comparison
Compare IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.
Key Differences
- 1Expense ratio: VNQ 0.13% vs IAU 0.25% (VNQ is 0.12%p cheaper)
- 2Dividend yield: VNQ 3.72% vs IAU 0%
- 3Category: IAU is Bonds & Commodities, VNQ is Alternative Investment
- 4Holdings: IAU 1 vs VNQ 164
- 5Issuer: IAU (BlackRock(iShares)) vs VNQ (Vanguard)
Conclusion
VNQ has an overall advantage with lower expense ratio (0.13% vs 0.25%), higher dividend yield (3.72% vs 0%). However, IAU also offers Lower expense ratio than GLD, making it worth considering depending on your portfolio goals.
| Category | IAU | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | iShares Gold Trust | Vanguard Real Estate ETF |
| Current Price | ... | ... |
| Category | Bonds & Commodities | Alternative Investment |
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.13% |
| Dividend Yield | 0% | 3.72% |
| Holdings | 1 | 164 |
IAU Top Holdings
- 1. Physical Gold
VNQ Top Holdings
- 1. Prologis
- 2. American Tower
- 3. Crown Castle
- 4. Equinix
IAU Features
- •Gold investing
- •Inflation hedge
- •Safe-haven asset
- •Low cost
VNQ Features
- •REIT investing
- •High dividend
- •Inflation hedge
- •Real estate exposure
Pros & Cons
IAU
Advantages
- ✓ Lower expense ratio than GLD
- ✓ Inflation defense
- ✓ Portfolio diversification
Disadvantages
- ⚠ No interest income
- ⚠ Storage costs
- ⚠ Disadvantaged during dollar strength
VNQ
Advantages
- ✓ Indirect real estate investment
- ✓ High dividend income
- ✓ Inflation hedge
Disadvantages
- ⚠ Interest rate sensitive
- ⚠ Economically sensitive
- ⚠ Real estate market risk
Investment Strategy
Best For: IAU
Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD
Best For: VNQ
Allocate 5-10% of total portfolio for inflation hedging
Detailed Analysis
IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) They belong to different categories — Bonds & Commodities and Alternative Investment — 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. VNQ: Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to alternative assets and thematic strategies. It carries an expense ratio of 0.13%. The fund offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.72%. The portfolio holds 164 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.13% and dividend yield of 3.72%, top holdings include Prologis, American Tower, Crown Castle. Notable features are REIT investing, High dividend, with Indirect real estate investment as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, VNQ is 0.12%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 VNQ is suitable for Allocate 5-10% of total portfolio for inflation hedging. 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 VNQ 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 VNQ Investment Guide
Both IAU and VNQ are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while VNQ charges 0.13%, giving VNQ a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, IAU offers 0% while VNQ offers 3.72%, making VNQ 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.