HYGI vs. IAU

Last updated Jul 9, 2026

HYGI (iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - HYGI is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYGI charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

HYGI vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGI) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

HYGI

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -5.70%
• 6M: -8.44%
• YTD: -5.46%
• 1Y: 23.26%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 17.39%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HYGI vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HYGI iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	0.00%	6.20%	9.16%	11.71%	0.65%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-5.46%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.26%

Correlation

The correlation between HYGI and IAU is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2022	0.22

The correlation between HYGI and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (1 year) to 0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HYGI vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYGI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 24
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

HYGI vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGI) 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.

	HYGI	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.85	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.21	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.18	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.89	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.26	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	HYGI	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-45.14%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-24.45%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-15.99%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	10.32%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HYGI	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.25%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.91%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	27.59%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	18.29%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	16.03%	—

HYGI vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYGI has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYGI vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither HYGI nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
HYGI iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	0.50%	3.41%	6.08%	6.22%	3.19%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYGI and IAU in my portfolio?

HYGI and IAU have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HYGI or IAU?

On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYGI or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for HYGI.

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

HYGI has the higher dividend yield at 0.50%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between HYGI and IAU?

HYGI is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while IAU is Gold. HYGI tracks BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for HYGI and 0.25% for IAU.