Compare iShares Gold Trust (IAU) vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
iShares Gold Trust vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? iShares Gold Trust trades at $82.9, while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $43.76. The key difference: iShares Gold Trust is trading nearer its 52-week high, Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IAU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Commodities - Metals/Agriculture | — |
52-Week High | $101.57 | $47.73 |
52-Week Low | $62.49 | $41.31 |
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, is trading at $83.305, up 0.96% with a bullish technical signal overall. The ETF benefits from gold's recent momentum as spot gold approaches $4,430/oz amid cooling inflation data and geopolitical tensions. Moving averages show bullish alignment while oscillators indicate some overbought conditions. Recent news highlights gold's safe-haven appeal with institutional buying and positive price forecasts.
The outlook remains positive given gold's role as an inflation hedge and safe-haven asset, supported by central bank demand and favorable CPI data. Risks include potential Fed policy shifts and dollar strength. Conservative investors favor IAU for its low 0.25% expense ratio and lower volatility compared to mining equities.
XLU trades at $43.74, up 1.39% with bearish technical signals from moving averages and oscillators. The ETF shows strong institutional call option activity, with 43,489 contracts traded on August 11, 2026, representing an 18% increase over typical volume. Recent news highlights XLU's positioning as an AI power demand play, with utilities gaining attention for data center electricity needs. The fund offers defensive income characteristics with dividend distributions scheduled for June 2026.
XLU faces technical headwinds but benefits from structural AI power demand growth. The ETF's defensive utility holdings provide income stability while capturing electricity infrastructure expansion. Key risks include interest rate sensitivity and regulatory changes, but institutional interest in call options suggests bullish positioning on the AI power theme.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It 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: electric utilities; water utilities; multi-utilities; independent power and renewable electricity producers; and gas utilities. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLU →
