BYLD vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - BYLD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BYLD returned 3.03%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for IAU. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BYLD charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

BYLD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) 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, BYLD achieves a 1.41% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 4.00% return. Over the past 10 years, BYLD has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 3.03%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.42% annualized return.

BYLD

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 1.41%
• 6M: 1.62%
• 1Y: 7.32%
• 3Y*: 6.56%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 3.03%

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

BYLD vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF	1.41%	8.41%	4.17%	8.30%	-10.33%	-1.25%	4.25%	12.79%	-1.50%	4.75%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between BYLD and IAU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2014	0.30

The correlation between BYLD and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.32 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BYLD vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BYLD	IAU
Energy	99.2%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BYLD vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BYLD

BYLD Risk / Return Rank: 57
BYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
BYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 59
BYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
BYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 60

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

BYLD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) 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.

	BYLD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.23	+0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	1.63	+1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.25	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.87	+0.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.73	4.69	+6.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BYLD vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BYLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BYLD 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

	BYLD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	1.23	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	1.05	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.85	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.63	-0.05

Drawdowns

BYLD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BYLD drawdown since its inception was -14.75%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BYLD and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BYLD	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.75%	-45.14%	+30.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.71%	-19.18%	+16.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.94%	-19.18%	+15.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.65%	-20.93%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.75%	-21.82%	+7.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-16.88%	+16.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.51%	-15.96%	+13.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	7.63%	-6.96%

Volatility

BYLD vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) is 1.44%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that BYLD 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.

Volatility by Period

	BYLD	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	5.78%	-4.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.96%	23.00%	-20.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	26.51%	-22.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.20%	17.96%	-12.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.43%	15.90%	-10.47%

BYLD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BYLD has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BYLD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

BYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.80%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF	5.35%	5.32%	5.31%	4.45%	3.39%	2.18%	3.41%	3.67%	4.22%	3.22%	3.14%	3.37%
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 BYLD and IAU in my portfolio?

BYLD and IAU have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BYLD or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to BYLD (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BYLD dropped -14.75% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, BYLD or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.42% vs 3.03% for BYLD. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, BYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BYLD or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.42% return vs 3.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BYLD or IAU?

BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

BYLD has the higher dividend yield at 5.80%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between BYLD and IAU?

BYLD is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while IAU is Gold. BYLD tracks Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for BYLD and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 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.