IBTE vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBTE (iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBTE is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2024 Maturity US Treasury Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. IBTE charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBTE vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

IBTE

• 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)

IBTE vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IBTE iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF	0.00%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-10.35%

Return for Risk

IBTE 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.

IBTE vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IBTE	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

IBTE vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBTE 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 IBTE and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBTE	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

	IBTE	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%

IBTE vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBTE has a 0.07% 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

IBTE vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IBTE nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, IBTE or IAU?

On fees, IBTE is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBTE or IAU?

IBTE is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

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

What is the main difference between IBTE and IAU?

IBTE is categorized as Government Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBTE tracks ICE 2024 Maturity US Treasury Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IBTE and 0.25% for IAU.