IBAT vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBAT (iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBAT is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Energy Storage and Materials, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBAT returned 124.45% vs 32.20% for IAU. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBAT vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF (IBAT) 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, IBAT achieves a 64.52% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

IBAT

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: 10.03%
• YTD: 64.52%
• 6M: 57.93%
• 1Y: 124.45%
• 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)

IBAT vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBAT iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF	64.52%	32.09%	-13.19%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	20.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IBAT and IAU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2024	0.24

IBAT vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBAT	IAU
Industrials	41.6%	-
Basic Materials	29.0%	-
Technology	23.4%	-
Energy	3.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	-
Utilities	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

IBAT vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBAT

IBAT Risk / Return Rank: 95
IBAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
IBAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
IBAT Omega Ratio Rank: 94
IBAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
IBAT Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

IBAT vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF (IBAT) 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.

	IBAT	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.75	1.23	+3.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.12	1.62	+3.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.24	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.21	1.69	+8.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.91	4.19	+22.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBAT vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBAT Sharpe Ratio is 4.75, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBAT 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

	IBAT	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.75	1.23	+3.53
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	1.41	0.62	+0.79

Drawdowns

IBAT vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBAT drawdown since its inception was -28.26%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBAT and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBAT	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.26%	-45.14%	+16.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.25%	-19.18%	+6.93%
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	-1.25%	-17.70%	+16.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.74%	-15.96%	+8.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.64%	7.71%	-3.07%

Volatility

IBAT vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF (IBAT) has a higher volatility of 10.25% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that IBAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBAT	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.25%	5.50%	+4.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.28%	23.02%	-2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.35%	26.42%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.83%	17.95%	+5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.83%	15.90%	+7.93%

IBAT vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBAT vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IBAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBAT iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF	0.70%	1.15%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBAT and IAU in my portfolio?

IBAT and IAU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBAT or IAU?

IBAT has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBAT dropped -28.26% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IBAT or IAU?

On 1-year performance, IBAT leads with 124.45% vs 32.20% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBAT or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, IBAT has performed better with a 124.45% return vs 32.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBAT or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBAT.

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

IBAT has the higher dividend yield at 0.70%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IBAT and IAU?

IBAT is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while IAU is Gold. IBAT tracks STOXX Global Energy Storage and Materials, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBAT and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.75 vs 1.23), 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.