IDEV vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IDEV (iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IDEV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IDEV returned 8.88%/yr vs 18.82%/yr for IAU. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IDEV charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IDEV vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) 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, IDEV achieves a 9.92% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return.

IDEV

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: 9.92%
• 6M: 13.26%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 17.76%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 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)

IDEV vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF	9.92%	32.56%	4.54%	17.36%	-14.99%	13.00%	8.32%	23.12%	-14.10%	17.29%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	4.34%

Correlation

The correlation between IDEV and IAU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2017	0.24

The correlation between IDEV and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IDEV vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDEV	IAU
Financial Services	24.2%	-
Industrials	19.1%	-
Technology	9.9%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Basic Materials	8.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	-
Energy	5.9%	-
Communication Services	4.0%	-
Utilities	3.7%	-
Real Estate	2.9%	100.0%

Return for Risk

IDEV vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDEV

IDEV Risk / Return Rank: 47
IDEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IDEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IDEV Omega Ratio Rank: 45
IDEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
IDEV Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

IDEV vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) 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.

	IDEV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.23	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.63	+0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	1.87	+0.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.73	4.69	+4.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDEV vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDEV Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDEV 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

	IDEV	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.23	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	1.05	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.63	-0.07

Drawdowns

IDEV vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEV drawdown since its inception was -34.77%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEV and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDEV	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.77%	-45.14%	+10.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-19.18%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-19.18%	+5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.15%	-20.93%	-8.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-16.88%	+16.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-15.96%	+9.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	7.63%	-4.78%

Volatility

IDEV vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) is 4.71%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.78%. This indicates that IDEV 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

	IDEV	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	5.78%	-1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.07%	23.00%	-10.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.52%	26.51%	-11.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	17.96%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	15.90%	+1.37%

IDEV vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDEV has a 0.05% 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

IDEV vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IDEV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.10%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF	3.10%	3.40%	3.30%	3.07%	2.69%	3.05%	2.00%	3.18%	3.16%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDEV and IAU in my portfolio?

IDEV and IAU have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDEV or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to IDEV (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDEV dropped -34.77% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IDEV or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.82% vs 8.88% for IDEV. On fees, IDEV is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IDEV has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDEV or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.82% return vs 8.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDEV or IAU?

IDEV is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

IDEV has the higher dividend yield at 3.10%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IDEV and IAU?

IDEV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. IDEV tracks MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for IDEV and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 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.