IBRN vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IBRN (iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBRN is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBRN returned 11.10%/yr vs 31.72%/yr for IAU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBRN charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBRN vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) 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, IBRN achieves a 4.62% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return.

IBRN

• 1D: -4.52%
• 1M: -1.90%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 12.73%
• 1Y: 52.57%
• 3Y*: 11.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

IBRN vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	4.62%	28.49%	-2.78%	0.92%	5.85%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	4.88%

Correlation

The correlation between IBRN and IAU is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2022	0.15

IBRN vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBRN	IAU
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBRN vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBRN

IBRN Risk / Return Rank: 69
IBRN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IBRN Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IBRN Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IBRN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IBRN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

IBRN vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) 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.

	IBRN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.23	+0.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	1.63	+1.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.30	1.87	+4.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	4.69	+10.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBRN vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBRN Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBRN 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

	IBRN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	1.23	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.63	-0.26

Drawdowns

IBRN vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBRN drawdown since its inception was -35.38%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBRN and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBRN	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.38%	-45.14%	+9.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.80%	-19.18%	+10.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.38%	-19.18%	-16.20%
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	-6.28%	-16.88%	+10.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-15.96%	+6.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	7.63%	-4.07%

Volatility

IBRN vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) has a higher volatility of 7.66% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.78%. This indicates that IBRN'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

	IBRN	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.66%	5.78%	+1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.29%	23.00%	-3.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.38%	26.51%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.32%	17.96%	+7.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.32%	15.90%	+9.42%

IBRN vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IBRN vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IBRN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, 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%
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	0.95%	0.99%	0.40%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBRN and IAU in my portfolio?

IBRN and IAU have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBRN or IAU?

IBRN has higher volatility (7.66%) compared to IAU (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBRN dropped -35.38% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IBRN or IAU?

On 3-year performance, IAU leads with 31.72% vs 11.10% for IBRN. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBRN or IAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAU has performed better with a 31.72% return vs 11.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBRN or IAU?

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

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

IBRN has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IBRN and IAU?

IBRN is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IAU is Gold. IBRN tracks NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBRN and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBRN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 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.