Compare iShares Gold Trust (IAU) vs Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
iShares Gold Trust vs Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? iShares Gold Trust trades at $76.6, while Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $56.11. The key difference: Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Gold Trust nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IAU | XLF | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Commodities - Metals/Agriculture | — |
52-Week High | $101.57 | $56.75 |
52-Week Low | $61.62 | $47.80 |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
IAU, the iShares Gold Trust ETF, trades at $75.35, down 0.2% on the day. Technical indicators are bearish, with moving averages signaling a downtrend and key support at $75. Recent news highlights institutional activity, including a new position by Eurizon Asset Management Hungary Ltd. in Q1 2026, while broader gold sentiment is pressured by expectations of sustained higher interest rates.
The outlook for IAU is influenced by macroeconomic factors affecting gold. Higher-for-longer interest rate expectations from the Fed (WSJ, 2026-07-19) pose a headwind, but structural central bank buying (WSJ, 2026-07-16) offers support. The primary risk is gold's sensitivity to monetary policy, while the opportunity lies in its role as a hedge amid economic uncertainty.
XLF trades at $56.04, down 0.39% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bullish moving average trend but overbought RSI signals. The ETF benefits from strong bank earnings and dividend increases following Fed stress tests. Recent news highlights regional bank strength and AI-driven capital markets activity as key growth drivers.
Outlook remains positive due to robust financial sector performance and potential Fed rate hikes, though geopolitical risks and overbought conditions pose near-term headwinds. The ETF offers exposure to banking sector resilience with a low expense ratio of 0.08%.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About iShares Gold Trust
IAU is a physically backed ETF that seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. It provides a convenient and liquid way for investors to include gold in their portfolios as a potential hedge.
Read more on IAU →About Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
The fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: diversified financial services; insurance; banks; capital markets; mortgage real estate investment trusts; consumer finance; thrifts; and mortgage finance. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLF →
