IBTR vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

IBTR (iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBTR is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2036 Maturity US Treasury Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBTR charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IBTR vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETF (IBTR) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IBTR

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -1.04%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -3.63%
• 1M: -8.02%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 28.33%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 17.65%
• 10Y*: 12.97%

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

IBTR vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IBTR iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETF	-0.01%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-1.06%

Correlation

The correlation between IBTR and IAU is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2026	0.60

Return for Risk

IBTR 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: 29
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

IBTR vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETF (IBTR) 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

	IBTR	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.07	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.01	0.61	-0.62

Drawdowns

IBTR vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBTR drawdown since its inception was -2.88%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBTR and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBTR	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-45.14%	+42.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-20.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.04%	—
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	-1.69%	-20.04%	+18.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-15.97%	+15.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.89%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBTR	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.64%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.33%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.39%	26.67%	-21.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.39%	18.01%	-12.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.39%	15.94%	-10.55%

IBTR vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBTR 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

IBTR vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IBTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%
IBTR iShares iBonds Dec 2036 Term Treasury ETF	0.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBTR and IAU in my portfolio?

IBTR and IAU have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBTR or IAU?

On fees, IBTR 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, IBTR or IAU?

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

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

IBTR has the higher dividend yield at 0.67%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IBTR and IAU?

IBTR is categorized as Government Bonds, while IAU is Gold. IBTR tracks ICE 2036 Maturity US Treasury Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IBTR and 0.25% for IAU.