IALT vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IALT (iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IALT is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. IALT is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IALT charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IALT vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) 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, IALT achieves a 13.14% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

IALT

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 2.25%
• YTD: 13.14%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

IALT vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	13.14%	0.73%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	1.88%

Correlation

The correlation between IALT and IAU is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.37

Return for Risk

IALT 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: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
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.

IALT vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) 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

	IALT	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	4.28	0.62	+3.66

Drawdowns

IALT vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IALT drawdown since its inception was -1.47%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IALT and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IALT	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.47%	-45.14%	+43.67%
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	-0.07%	-17.70%	+17.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.32%	-15.96%	+15.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.71%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IALT	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.02%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.48%	26.42%	-18.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.48%	17.95%	-10.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.48%	15.90%	-8.42%

IALT vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IALT has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IALT vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IALT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	0.12%	0.14%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IALT and IAU in my portfolio?

IALT and IAU have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IALT 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, IALT or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IALT.

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

IALT has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IALT and IAU?

IALT is categorized as Multistrategy, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for IALT and 0.25% for IAU.