ARTY vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ARTY is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARTY returned 14.13%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARTY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ARTY vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) 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, ARTY achieves a 66.09% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

ARTY

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 26.10%
• YTD: 66.09%
• 6M: 63.47%
• 1Y: 112.42%
• 3Y*: 36.54%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

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)

ARTY vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	66.09%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	48.85%	34.47%	-14.31%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	2.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTY and IAU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.11

ARTY vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARTY	IAU
Technology	87.7%	-
Industrials	5.3%	-
Communication Services	3.5%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	100.0%
Healthcare	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-

Return for Risk

ARTY vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARTY

ARTY Risk / Return Rank: 90
ARTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ARTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ARTY Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ARTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ARTY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

ARTY vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) 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.

	ARTY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	1.23	+2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	1.62	+2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.24	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.01	1.69	+4.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.88	4.19	+16.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARTY vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTY Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTY 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

	ARTY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	1.23	+2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	1.03	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.62	+0.01

Drawdowns

ARTY vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTY drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTY and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTY	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-45.14%	-9.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-19.18%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-19.18%	-13.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	-20.93%	-29.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-17.70%	+16.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.85%	-15.96%	-3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.40%	7.71%	-2.31%

Volatility

ARTY vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that ARTY'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

	ARTY	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	5.50%	+6.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.12%	23.02%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.94%	26.42%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.58%	17.95%	+10.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	15.90%	+11.85%

ARTY vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTY vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARTY nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%
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

Can I hold both ARTY and IAU in my portfolio?

ARTY and IAU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARTY or IAU?

ARTY has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTY dropped -54.50% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ARTY or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 14.13% for ARTY. 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, ARTY or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 14.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARTY or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for ARTY.

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

ARTY and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ARTY and IAU?

ARTY is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. ARTY tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ARTY and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 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.