HYXU vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HYXU (iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - HYXU is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BBG Pan-European High Yield (Euro) Total Return 100% USD Hedged Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. HYXU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

HYXU vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

HYXU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.39%
• 5Y*: 18.52%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

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

HYXU vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
HYXU iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF	0.00%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-0.37%

HYXU vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYXU	IAU
Communication Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HYXU vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
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.

HYXU vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF (HYXU) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HYXU	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.63	—

Drawdowns

HYXU vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYXU drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYXU and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYXU	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-45.14%	+45.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
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	0.00%	-17.02%	+17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-15.96%	+15.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HYXU	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.03%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	26.41%	-26.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	17.94%	-17.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	15.90%	-15.90%

HYXU vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HYXU vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither HYXU nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, HYXU 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, HYXU or IAU?

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

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

HYXU and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between HYXU and IAU?

HYXU is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while IAU is Gold. HYXU tracks BBG Pan-European High Yield (Euro) Total Return 100% USD Hedged Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HYXU and 0.25% for IAU.