EQLT vs. IAU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EQLT is a Quality Factor fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EQLT returned 44.38% vs 20.35% for IAU. Their 0.35 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EQLT charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EQLT vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) 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, EQLT achieves a 22.86% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -6.16% return.

EQLT

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -1.35%
• 6M: 14.71%
• YTD: 22.86%
• 1Y: 44.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.13%

IAU

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: -1.73%
• 6M: -16.48%
• YTD: -6.16%
• 1Y: 20.35%
• 3Y*: 27.40%
• 5Y*: 17.12%
• 10Y*: 11.21%
• ALL TIME*: 10.71%

*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)
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	$77.09K	$55.23K	$122.39K
IAU iShares Gold Trust	$349.43M	$363.40M	$472.72M

EQLT vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	22.86%	33.93%	-1.29%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-6.16%	63.95%	4.21%

Correlation

The correlation between EQLT and IAU is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.35

Return for Risk

EQLT vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 81
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 30
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

EQLT vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) 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.

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.

	EQLT	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	0.82	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.18	+1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.17	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	0.87	+2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.91	1.88	+9.03

EQLT vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQLT 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.

Drawdowns

EQLT vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQLT drawdown since its inception was -17.38%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQLT and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQLT	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.38%	-45.14%	+27.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-26.36%	+14.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.36%	-25.01%	+16.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-16.02%	+12.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	12.16%	-8.20%

Volatility

EQLT vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) is 5.98%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 6.35%. This indicates that EQLT 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

	EQLT	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	6.35%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.15%	23.35%	-2.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.39%	27.92%	-4.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	18.42%	+2.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.25%	16.08%	+5.17%

EQLT vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQLT has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EQLT vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.85%	3.10%	0.51%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQLT and IAU in my portfolio?

EQLT and IAU have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EQLT or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (6.35%) compared to EQLT (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQLT dropped -17.38% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EQLT or IAU?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 44.38% vs 20.35% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, EQLT has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EQLT or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 44.38% return vs 20.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EQLT or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EQLT.

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

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EQLT and IAU?

EQLT is categorized as Quality Factor, while IAU is Gold. EQLT tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for EQLT and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.82), 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.