IBID vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBID (iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBID is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2027 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBID returned 3.92% vs 21.45% for IAU. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBID charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBID vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF (IBID) 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, IBID achieves a 1.94% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -4.73% return.

IBID

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.25%
• YTD: 1.94%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 3.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -8.82%
• YTD: -4.73%
• 6M: -8.68%
• 1Y: 21.45%
• 3Y*: 28.61%
• 5Y*: 18.02%
• 10Y*: 11.76%

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

IBID vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBID iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF	1.94%	5.66%	4.71%	2.61%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-4.73%	63.95%	26.85%	7.91%

Correlation

The correlation between IBID 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2023	0.23

The correlation between IBID and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IBID vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBID

IBID Risk / Return Rank: 95
IBID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
IBID Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
IBID Omega Ratio Rank: 95
IBID Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IBID Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 22
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

IBID vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF (IBID) 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.

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.

	IBID	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.19	0.79	+2.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.38	1.14	+4.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.17	+0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.20	0.88	+6.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.14	2.37	+26.77

IBID vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBID Sharpe Ratio is 3.19, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBID 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.

Drawdowns

IBID vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBID drawdown since its inception was -1.28%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBID and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBID	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-45.14%	+43.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.55%	-24.40%	+23.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-23.87%	+23.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-15.97%	+15.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.13%	9.07%	-8.94%

Volatility

IBID vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF (IBID) is 0.35%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 8.10%. This indicates that IBID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBID	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	8.10%	-7.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.86%	24.23%	-23.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23%	27.38%	-26.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.24%	18.18%	-15.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.24%	15.98%	-13.74%

IBID vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBID 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

IBID vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IBID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBID iShares iBonds Oct 2027 Term TIPS ETF	3.68%	4.43%	4.24%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBID and IAU in my portfolio?

IBID 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 is riskier, IBID or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to IBID (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBID dropped -1.28% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IBID or IAU?

On 1-year performance, IAU leads with 21.45% vs 3.92% for IBID. On fees, IBID is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBID has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBID or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, IAU has performed better with a 21.45% return vs 3.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBID or IAU?

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

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

IBID has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IBID and IAU?

IBID is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBID tracks ICE 2027 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IBID and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 0.79), 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.