IBHD vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBHD (iShares iBonds 2024 Term High Yield & Income ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBHD is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 2024 Term High Yield and Income Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. IBHD charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBHD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 2024 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IBHD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 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)

IBHD vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IBHD iShares iBonds 2024 Term High Yield & Income ETF	0.00%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-10.35%

Return for Risk

IBHD 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.

IBHD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 2024 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHD) 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

	IBHD	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	—	0.62	—

Drawdowns

IBHD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBHD drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBHD and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBHD	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-45.14%	+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	0.00%	-17.70%	+17.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-15.96%	+15.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.71%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBHD	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	0.00%	26.42%	-26.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	17.95%	-17.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	15.90%	-15.90%

IBHD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBHD has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBHD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IBHD nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, IBHD 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, IBHD or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for IBHD.

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

IBHD and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IBHD and IAU?

IBHD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBHD tracks Bloomberg 2024 Term High Yield and Income Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for IBHD and 0.25% for IAU.