BFLX vs. IAU
BFLX (iShares Flexible Equity Active ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BFLX is a Long-Short fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. BFLX is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BFLX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
BFLX vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
BFLX
- 1D
- 0.76%
- 1M
- -0.90%
- YTD
- —
- 6M
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- -1.35%
- 1M
- -11.65%
- YTD
- -6.95%
- 6M
- -7.45%
- 1Y
- 22.51%
- 3Y*
- 27.56%
- 5Y*
- 17.51%
- 10Y*
- 11.28%
BFLX vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
BFLX iShares Flexible Equity Active ETF | 0.36% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -10.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between BFLX and IAU is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2026 | 0.44 |
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Return for Risk
BFLX vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
BFLX
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IAU
BFLX vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Flexible Equity Active ETF (BFLX) 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.
| BFLX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.17 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.86 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 2.35 | — |
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Drawdowns
BFLX vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BFLX drawdown since its inception was -3.85%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFLX and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BFLX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.85% | -45.14% | +41.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -26.17% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.39% | -25.64% | +23.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.04% | -15.98% | +14.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 9.62% | — |
Volatility
BFLX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BFLX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 8.65% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 24.35% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.10% | 27.56% | -12.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.10% | 18.25% | -3.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.10% | 16.02% | -0.92% |
BFLX vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BFLX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
BFLX vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
Neither BFLX nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
BFLX and IAU have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for BFLX.
BFLX and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
BFLX is categorized as Long-Short, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for BFLX and 0.25% for IAU.
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