BKF vs. IAU
BKF (iShares MSCI BRIC ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BKF is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI BRIC Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BKF returned 4.28%/yr vs 11.52%/yr for IAU. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKF charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
BKF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BKF achieves a -8.67% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's -6.04% return. Over the past 10 years, BKF has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 4.28%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 11.52% annualized return.
BKF
- 1D
- 1.37%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- 6M
- -11.29%
- YTD
- -8.67%
- 1Y
- -2.04%
- 3Y*
- 6.12%
- 5Y*
- -3.51%
- 10Y*
- 4.28%
IAU
- 1D
- 1.36%
- 1M
- -3.69%
- 6M
- -11.68%
- YTD
- -6.04%
- 1Y
- 20.97%
- 3Y*
- 27.24%
- 5Y*
- 16.98%
- 10Y*
- 11.52%
BKF vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF | -8.67% | 22.30% | 9.24% | 1.27% | -21.78% | -11.87% | 16.52% | 22.93% | -13.80% | 41.80% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -6.04% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between BKF and IAU is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2007 | 0.16 |
Over the past year, BKF and IAU have become more correlated (0.41) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
BKF vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
BKF
IAU
BKF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) 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.
| BKF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.16 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.13 | 0.80 | -0.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.30 | 1.95 | -2.25 |
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Drawdowns
BKF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BKF drawdown since its inception was -70.29%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKF and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BKF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.29% | -45.14% | -25.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.45% | -26.17% | +10.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.60% | -26.17% | +7.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.97% | -26.17% | -15.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.20% | -26.17% | -23.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.03% | -24.91% | -1.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.10% | -16.00% | -12.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.79% | 10.78% | -3.99% |
Volatility
BKF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) is 4.77%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 6.98%. This indicates that BKF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BKF | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.77% | 6.98% | -2.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.94% | 24.05% | -11.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.98% | 27.73% | -11.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.53% | 18.33% | +3.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.67% | 16.05% | +5.62% |
BKF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BKF has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
BKF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
BKF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF | 1.59% | 1.79% | 2.37% | 1.68% | 2.04% | 2.93% | 1.02% | 1.66% | 2.33% | 1.51% | 1.82% | 3.15% |
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
BKF and IAU have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (6.98%) compared to BKF (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKF dropped -70.29% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 11.52% vs 4.28% for BKF. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BKF has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 11.52% return vs 4.28%. 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 0.69% for BKF.
BKF has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
BKF is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAU is Gold. BKF tracks MSCI BRIC Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for BKF and 0.25% for IAU.
IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs -0.13), 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.
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