IBDQ vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IBDQ (iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBDQ is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg December 2025 Maturity Corporate, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBDQ charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBDQ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF (IBDQ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IBDQ

• 1D: —
• 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)

IBDQ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBDQ iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF	0.00%	4.13%	5.12%	5.23%	-5.91%	-1.49%	8.27%	13.59%	-2.39%	6.28%
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 IBDQ and IAU is 0.06, 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	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2015	0.30

Over the past year, the correlation between IBDQ and IAU has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.30, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IBDQ 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.

IBDQ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF (IBDQ) 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

	IBDQ	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

Drawdown Indicators

	IBDQ	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-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	—	-17.02%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-15.96%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBDQ	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	—	26.41%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.94%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	15.90%	—

IBDQ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBDQ has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IBDQ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IBDQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IBDQ iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Corporate ETF	2.08%	3.77%	3.81%	3.27%	2.23%	2.07%	2.51%	3.21%	3.52%	3.28%	3.39%	2.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBDQ and IAU in my portfolio?

IBDQ and IAU have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBDQ or IAU?

On fees, IBDQ is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBDQ or IAU?

IBDQ is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

IBDQ has the higher dividend yield at 2.08%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IBDQ and IAU?

IBDQ is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBDQ tracks Bloomberg December 2025 Maturity Corporate, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IBDQ and 0.25% for IAU.