DVYA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DVYA (iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DVYA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 30 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DVYA returned 7.30%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DVYA charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

DVYA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF (DVYA) 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, DVYA achieves a 13.35% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, DVYA has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 7.30%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

DVYA

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 13.35%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 39.49%
• 3Y*: 21.73%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: 7.30%

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)

DVYA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DVYA iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF	13.35%	30.22%	6.05%	13.75%	-2.17%	3.41%	-9.61%	14.70%	-14.87%	16.99%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between DVYA and IAU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2012	0.20

The correlation between DVYA and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DVYA vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVYA	IAU
Financial Services	30.9%	-
Basic Materials	16.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	-
Real Estate	10.6%	100.0%
Industrials	7.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	-
Energy	5.0%	-
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Utilities	4.5%	-
Healthcare	3.5%	-
Technology	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

DVYA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVYA

DVYA Risk / Return Rank: 85
DVYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DVYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DVYA Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DVYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DVYA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

DVYA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF (DVYA) 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.

	DVYA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	1.23	+1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	1.62	+2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.24	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	1.69	+2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.66	4.19	+12.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVYA vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVYA Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVYA 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

	DVYA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	1.23	+1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	1.03	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.84	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.62	-0.32

Drawdowns

DVYA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVYA drawdown since its inception was -45.61%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVYA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVYA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.61%	-45.14%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.64%	-19.18%	+10.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.15%	-19.18%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.37%	-20.93%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.61%	-21.82%	-23.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.11%	-17.70%	+14.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.06%	-15.96%	+5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	7.71%	-5.33%

Volatility

DVYA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF (DVYA) is 3.94%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that DVYA 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

	DVYA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	5.50%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.44%	23.02%	-12.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.00%	26.42%	-13.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.08%	17.95%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.55%	15.90%	+1.65%

DVYA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVYA has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVYA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

DVYA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVYA iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF	4.33%	4.71%	5.97%	6.48%	7.29%	5.81%	3.66%	5.52%	6.24%	4.74%	4.79%	5.33%
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 DVYA and IAU in my portfolio?

DVYA and IAU have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVYA or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to DVYA (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVYA dropped -45.61% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, DVYA or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 7.30% for DVYA. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, DVYA has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DVYA or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 7.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVYA or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for DVYA.

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

DVYA has the higher dividend yield at 4.33%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between DVYA and IAU?

DVYA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IAU is Gold. DVYA tracks Dow Jones Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 30 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for DVYA and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVYA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 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.