EIS vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EIS (iShares MSCI Israel ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EIS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EIS returned 11.97%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EIS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EIS vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) 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, EIS achieves a 18.19% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, EIS has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 11.97%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

EIS

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: -2.12%
• YTD: 18.19%
• 6M: 22.47%
• 1Y: 54.91%
• 3Y*: 37.61%
• 5Y*: 15.32%
• 10Y*: 11.97%

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)

EIS vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	18.19%	45.11%	34.50%	5.48%	-27.05%	22.83%	12.01%	20.93%	-4.84%	12.77%
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 EIS and IAU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.09

The correlation between EIS and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EIS vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EIS	IAU
Financial Services	34.6%	-
Technology	17.8%	-
Industrials	10.9%	-
Healthcare	9.8%	-
Real Estate	9.1%	100.0%
Utilities	6.6%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

EIS vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EIS

EIS Risk / Return Rank: 76
EIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
EIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
EIS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EIS 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.

EIS vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) 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.

	EIS	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.23	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	1.62	+1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.24	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.45	1.69	+2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.54	4.19	+12.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EIS vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIS Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIS 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

	EIS	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.23	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	1.03	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.84	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.62	-0.30

Drawdowns

EIS vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIS drawdown since its inception was -51.94%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIS and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIS	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.94%	-45.14%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.40%	-19.18%	+6.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.10%	-19.18%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.88%	-20.93%	-20.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.88%	-21.82%	-20.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.56%	-17.70%	+12.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-15.96%	+2.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	7.71%	-4.38%

Volatility

EIS vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) has a higher volatility of 6.64% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that EIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIS	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.64%	5.50%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.05%	23.02%	-6.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.56%	26.42%	-3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.81%	17.95%	+3.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	15.90%	+5.18%

EIS vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EIS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EIS vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF	1.22%	1.44%	1.38%	1.39%	1.66%	1.04%	0.16%	2.06%	0.87%	2.02%	1.78%	2.55%
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 EIS and IAU in my portfolio?

EIS and IAU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EIS or IAU?

EIS has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIS dropped -51.94% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EIS or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 11.97% for EIS. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EIS or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 11.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EIS or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EIS.

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

EIS has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EIS and IAU?

EIS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. EIS tracks MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net), while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EIS and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 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.