AIQ vs. IAU
AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - AIQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AIQ returned 17.96%/yr vs 18.77%/yr for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AIQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
AIQ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AIQ achieves a 31.34% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.27% return.
AIQ
- 1D
- 3.84%
- 1M
- 6.69%
- YTD
- 31.34%
- 6M
- 31.79%
- 1Y
- 61.29%
- 3Y*
- 33.36%
- 5Y*
- 17.96%
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- -0.39%
- 1M
- -7.14%
- YTD
- -2.27%
- 6M
- -2.91%
- 1Y
- 25.03%
- 3Y*
- 28.88%
- 5Y*
- 18.77%
- 10Y*
- 12.29%
AIQ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF | 31.34% | 31.89% | 24.11% | 55.39% | -36.44% | 17.09% | 52.88% | 39.94% | -14.05% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -2.27% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -0.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between AIQ and IAU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.12 |
The correlation between AIQ and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
AIQ vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
AIQ
IAU
AIQ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AIQ | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.19 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.65 | 1.03 | +2.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.84 | 2.83 | +9.00 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
AIQ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AIQ drawdown since its inception was -44.66%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIQ and IAU.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| AIQ | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.66% | -45.14% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.47% | -24.40% | +7.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.35% | -24.40% | -1.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.66% | -24.40% | -20.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.76% | -21.90% | +17.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.78% | -15.97% | +6.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.07% | 8.83% | -3.76% |
Volatility
AIQ vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has a higher volatility of 13.99% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 8.16%. This indicates that AIQ'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| AIQ | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.99% | 8.16% | +5.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.02% | 24.16% | -2.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.93% | 27.30% | -1.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.88% | 18.16% | +7.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.78% | 16.05% | +9.73% |
AIQ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
AIQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
AIQ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
AIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF | 0.14% | 0.18% | 0.14% | 0.16% | 0.56% | 0.15% | 0.50% | 0.51% | 0.51% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AIQ and IAU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AIQ has higher volatility (13.99%) compared to IAU (8.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIQ dropped -44.66% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.77% vs 17.96% for AIQ. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 8.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.77% return vs 17.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.
AIQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.14%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
AIQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AIQ and 0.25% for IAU.
AIQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.92), 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.
Find the right allocation for AIQ and IAU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer