EFRA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFRA (iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EFRA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EFRA returned 11.21%/yr vs 31.29%/yr for IAU. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EFRA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) 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, EFRA achieves a 4.96% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

EFRA

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: 4.96%
• 6M: 4.97%
• 1Y: 10.28%
• 3Y*: 11.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

EFRA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	4.96%	13.76%	8.09%	14.49%	7.48%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	11.72%

Correlation

The correlation between EFRA and IAU is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2022	0.26

EFRA vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFRA	IAU
Industrials	61.8%	-
Utilities	24.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	-
Basic Materials	4.4%	-
Technology	2.7%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

EFRA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFRA

EFRA Risk / Return Rank: 21
EFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
EFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
EFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 21
EFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
EFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

EFRA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) 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.

	EFRA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	1.23	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.62	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.24	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	1.69	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.67	4.19	-1.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFRA vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFRA Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFRA 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

	EFRA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	1.23	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.62	+0.27

Drawdowns

EFRA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFRA drawdown since its inception was -16.25%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFRA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFRA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.25%	-45.14%	+28.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-19.18%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.25%	-19.18%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.98%	-17.70%	+10.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-15.96%	+12.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	7.71%	-3.86%

Volatility

EFRA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) is 4.37%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that EFRA 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

	EFRA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	5.50%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	23.02%	-11.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.02%	26.42%	-12.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.51%	17.95%	-2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.51%	15.90%	-0.39%

EFRA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFRA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	4.13%	4.34%	3.79%	1.85%	0.14%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFRA and IAU in my portfolio?

EFRA and IAU have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFRA or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to EFRA (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFRA dropped -16.25% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EFRA or IAU?

On 3-year performance, IAU leads with 31.29% vs 11.21% for EFRA. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, EFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFRA or IAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAU has performed better with a 31.29% return vs 11.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFRA or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for EFRA.

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

EFRA has the higher dividend yield at 4.13%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EFRA and IAU?

EFRA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while IAU is Gold. EFRA tracks FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for EFRA and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.74), 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.