HEAL vs. IAU
HEAL (Global X HealthTech ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - HEAL is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Global X HealthTech Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HEAL returned -12.46%/yr vs 16.98%/yr for IAU. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HEAL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
HEAL vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HEAL achieves a -3.82% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -6.04% return.
HEAL
- 1D
- -1.37%
- 1M
- 8.66%
- 6M
- -7.84%
- YTD
- -3.82%
- 1Y
- -10.83%
- 3Y*
- -7.80%
- 5Y*
- -12.46%
- 10Y*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- 1.36%
- 1M
- -3.69%
- 6M
- -11.68%
- YTD
- -6.04%
- 1Y
- 20.97%
- 3Y*
- 27.24%
- 5Y*
- 16.98%
- 10Y*
- 11.52%
HEAL vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | -3.82% | -0.62% | -2.87% | -12.61% | -29.99% | -14.21% | 16.89% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -6.04% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | -3.62% |
Correlation
The correlation between HEAL and IAU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2020 | 0.17 |
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Return for Risk
HEAL vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
HEAL
IAU
HEAL vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) 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.
| HEAL | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.16 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.35 | 0.80 | -1.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.66 | 1.95 | -2.61 |
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Drawdowns
HEAL vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HEAL drawdown since its inception was -65.76%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEAL and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HEAL | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.76% | -45.14% | -20.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.71% | -26.17% | -4.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.78% | -26.17% | -9.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -59.14% | -26.17% | -32.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.17% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -58.48% | -24.91% | -33.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.34% | -16.00% | -27.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.34% | 10.78% | +5.56% |
Volatility
HEAL vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) has a higher volatility of 7.35% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 6.98%. This indicates that HEAL'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.
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Volatility by Period
| HEAL | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.35% | 6.98% | +0.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.15% | 24.05% | -6.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.67% | 27.73% | -5.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.59% | 18.33% | +8.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.29% | 16.05% | +10.24% |
HEAL vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
HEAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
HEAL vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
HEAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | 0.26% | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HEAL and IAU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HEAL has higher volatility (7.35%) compared to IAU (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEAL dropped -65.76% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 16.98% vs -12.46% for HEAL. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 16.98% return vs -12.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HEAL.
HEAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.26%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
HEAL is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IAU is Gold. HEAL tracks Global X HealthTech Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HEAL and 0.25% for IAU.
IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs -0.48), 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.
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