IAK vs. INFL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) and INFL (Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index, while INFL is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Horizon Kinetics LLC. IAK is passively managed, while INFL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAK returned 14.57%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for INFL. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IAK charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for INFL.

Performance

IAK vs. INFL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) and Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAK achieves a 3.62% return, which is significantly lower than INFL's 10.49% return.

IAK

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: 3.60%
• YTD: 3.62%
• 6M: 2.70%
• 1Y: 6.36%
• 3Y*: 19.69%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 13.20%

INFL

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: -7.92%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 18.20%
• 3Y*: 19.92%
• 5Y*: 11.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAK vs. INFL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	3.62%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	24.69%
INFL Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF	10.49%	18.30%	23.34%	1.62%	2.65%	25.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IAK and INFL is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2021	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between IAK and INFL has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IAK vs. INFL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAK	INFL
Financial Services	99.4%	20.4%
Healthcare	0.6%	1.2%
Basic Materials	-	21.1%
Communication Services	-	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	2.3%
Energy	-	41.8%
Industrials	-	1.9%
Real Estate	-	1.3%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

IAK vs. INFL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 16
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 14
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 18

INFL

INFL Risk / Return Rank: 33
INFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
INFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
INFL Omega Ratio Rank: 31
INFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
INFL Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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. INFL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) and Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL). 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.

	IAK	INFL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	1.13	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.69	1.53	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.20	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	1.67	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	5.11	-3.24

IAK vs. INFL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAK Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the INFL Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAK and INFL, 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

IAK vs. INFL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAK drawdown since its inception was -77.38%, which is greater than INFL's maximum drawdown of -21.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAK and INFL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAK	INFL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.38%	-21.30%	-56.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.62%	-10.92%	+3.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.58%	-15.56%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.76%	-21.30%	+6.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.95%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.92%	+10.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.09%	-5.13%	-10.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	3.57%	-0.16%

Volatility

IAK vs. INFL - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) has a higher volatility of 5.62% compared to Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL) at 5.08%. This indicates that IAK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than INFL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAK	INFL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	5.08%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.66%	12.83%	-2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.18%	16.18%	-1.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.06%	17.78%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	17.68%	+3.19%

IAK vs. INFL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAK has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than INFL's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAK vs. INFL - Dividend Comparison

IAK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, more than INFL's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.58%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
INFL Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF	0.96%	1.26%	1.77%	1.60%	1.65%	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAK and INFL in my portfolio?

IAK and INFL have a correlation of 0.18, 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 INFL?

IAK has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to INFL (5.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAK dropped -77.38% vs INFL's -21.30%.

Which ETF is better, IAK or INFL?

On 5-year performance, IAK leads with 14.57% vs 11.71% for INFL. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, INFL has been the lower-risk option at 5.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAK or INFL?

Over the 5-year period, IAK has performed better with a 14.57% return vs 11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAK or INFL?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for INFL.

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

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 0.96% for INFL.

What is the main difference between IAK and INFL?

IAK is categorized as Financials Equities, while INFL is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Horizon Kinetics LLC. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IAK and 0.85% for INFL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

INFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.42), 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.