IBMM vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IBMM (iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBMM is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2024 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. IBMM charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBMM vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

IBMM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 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)

IBMM vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IBMM iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-9.61%

Return for Risk

IBMM 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.

IBMM vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMM) 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

	IBMM	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

IBMM vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBMM 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 IBMM and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBMM	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%	-17.02%	+17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-15.96%	+15.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBMM	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	0.00%	26.41%	-26.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	17.94%	-17.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	15.90%	-15.90%

IBMM vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBMM has a 0.18% 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

IBMM vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IBMM nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, IBMM or IAU?

On fees, IBMM is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBMM or IAU?

IBMM is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

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

What is the main difference between IBMM and IAU?

IBMM is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBMM tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2024 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMM and 0.25% for IAU.