IAK vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IAK returned 11.74%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for IAU. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. IAK charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IAK vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) 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, IAK achieves a -3.44% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, IAK has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 11.74%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

IAK

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -1.45%
• YTD: -3.44%
• 6M: -0.51%
• 1Y: -1.63%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 11.77%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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)

IAK vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	-3.44%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	26.84%	-2.86%	25.94%	-11.48%	14.18%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between IAK and IAU is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	-0.01

IAK vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAK	IAU
Financial Services	99.5%	-
Healthcare	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAK vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 7
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 8
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

IAK vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) 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.

	IAK	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	1.24	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	1.63	-1.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.25	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.22	1.70	-1.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.45	4.18	-4.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAK vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAK Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAK 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

	IAK	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11	1.24	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	1.04	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.84	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.63	-0.36

Drawdowns

IAK vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAK drawdown since its inception was -77.38%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAK and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAK	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.38%	-45.14%	-32.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.62%	-19.18%	+11.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.58%	-19.18%	+7.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.76%	-20.93%	+6.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.95%	-21.82%	-23.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.72%	-17.02%	+12.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.13%	-15.96%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.66%	7.79%	-4.13%

Volatility

IAK vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) is 4.00%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that IAK 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

	IAK	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	5.50%	-1.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	23.03%	-12.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.81%	26.41%	-11.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.08%	17.94%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	15.90%	+4.99%

IAK vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAK has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAK vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IAK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.72%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
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 IAK and IAU in my portfolio?

IAK and IAU have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAK or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to IAK (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAK dropped -77.38% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IAK or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.38% vs 11.74% for IAK. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAK or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 11.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAK or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IAK.

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

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IAK and IAU?

IAK is categorized as Financials Equities, while IAU is Gold. IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IAK and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs -0.11), 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.