AAXJ vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - AAXJ is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ returned 10.50%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AAXJ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

AAXJ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAXJ achieves a 31.17% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 10.50%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

AAXJ

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 10.65%
• YTD: 31.17%
• 6M: 33.71%
• 1Y: 59.00%
• 3Y*: 24.49%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAXJ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF	31.17%	31.53%	10.41%	4.79%	-20.35%	-5.73%	23.35%	17.93%	-15.04%	41.76%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between AAXJ and IAU is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2008	0.17

The correlation between AAXJ and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AAXJ vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAXJ	IAU
Technology	41.6%	-
Financial Services	17.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Communication Services	6.9%	-
Basic Materials	3.5%	-
Healthcare	3.0%	-
Energy	2.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	-
Utilities	1.8%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	100.0%

Return for Risk

AAXJ vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAXJ

AAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 84
AAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAXJ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AAXJ	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	1.23	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	1.62	+2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.24	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.34	1.69	+2.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.76	4.19	+12.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAXJ vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAXJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAXJ and IAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAXJ	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	1.23	+1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	1.03	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.84	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.62	-0.34

Drawdowns

AAXJ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.37%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAXJ and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAXJ	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.37%	-45.14%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-19.18%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-19.18%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.74%	-20.93%	-19.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.52%	-21.82%	-22.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-17.70%	+16.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.03%	-15.96%	+1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	7.71%	-4.18%

Volatility

AAXJ vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) has a higher volatility of 8.93% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that AAXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAXJ	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	5.50%	+3.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.46%	23.02%	-5.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.25%	26.42%	-6.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.94%	17.95%	+1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	15.90%	+4.35%

AAXJ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAXJ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAXJ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

AAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF	1.38%	1.81%	1.86%	1.95%	1.74%	2.21%	1.06%	1.83%	2.10%	1.99%	1.77%	2.44%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAXJ and IAU in my portfolio?

AAXJ and IAU have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAXJ or IAU?

AAXJ has higher volatility (8.93%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAXJ dropped -49.37% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, AAXJ or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 10.50% for AAXJ. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAXJ or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 10.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAXJ or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AAXJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAXJ or IAU?

AAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between AAXJ and IAU?

AAXJ is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IAU is Gold. AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AAXJ and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 1.23), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.