COAL vs. IAK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

COAL (Range Global Coal Index ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COAL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the VettaFi Global Coal Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, COAL returned 21.66% vs 19.67% for IAK. Their 0.03 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. COAL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

COAL vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COAL achieves a -1.39% return, which is significantly lower than IAK's 10.11% return.

COAL

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -1.00%
• 6M: -12.93%
• YTD: -1.39%
• 1Y: 21.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -3.27%

IAK

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.03%
• 6M: 12.56%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 15.99%
• 10Y*: 13.18%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
COAL Range Global Coal Index ETF	$599.70K	$1.03M	$1.30M
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	$15.27M	$20.59M	$12.29M

COAL vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
COAL Range Global Coal Index ETF	-1.39%	12.65%	-17.23%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	10.11%	9.50%	21.72%

Correlation

The correlation between COAL and IAK is -0.15, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2024	0.03

The correlation between COAL and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

COAL vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COAL	IAK
Energy	47.2%	-
Basic Materials	44.2%	-
Industrials	7.4%	-
Utilities	1.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	99.3%
Healthcare	-	0.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

COAL vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

COAL

COAL Risk / Return Rank: 29
COAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
COAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
COAL Omega Ratio Rank: 29
COAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
COAL Martin Ratio Rank: 27

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 54
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 47
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

COAL vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

	COAL	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	1.24	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	1.81	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.22	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	2.59	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.35	6.29	-3.94

COAL vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COAL Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COAL and IAK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

COAL vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COAL drawdown since its inception was -42.29%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COAL and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	COAL	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-77.38%	+35.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.69%	-7.62%	-14.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.76%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.80%	-3.20%	-17.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.38%	-16.01%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.24%	3.13%	+6.11%

Volatility

COAL vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) has a higher volatility of 7.61% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 6.56%. This indicates that COAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COAL	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	6.56%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.44%	12.42%	+9.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.13%	15.99%	+13.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.62%	18.13%	+9.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.62%	20.92%	+6.70%

COAL vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

COAL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

COAL vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

COAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, more than IAK's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COAL Range Global Coal Index ETF	2.67%	2.63%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.42%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COAL and IAK in my portfolio?

COAL and IAK have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COAL or IAK?

COAL has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to IAK (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COAL dropped -42.29% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, COAL or IAK?

On 1-year performance, COAL leads with 21.66% vs 19.67% for IAK. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COAL or IAK?

Over the 1-year period, COAL has performed better with a 21.66% return vs 19.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COAL or IAK?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for COAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COAL or IAK?

COAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 2.42% for IAK.

What is the main difference between COAL and IAK?

COAL is categorized as Energy Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. COAL tracks VettaFi Global Coal Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for COAL and 0.38% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.75), 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.