IDNA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IDNA (iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IDNA is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Genomics and Immuno Biopharma Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IDNA returned -8.26%/yr vs 18.82%/yr for IAU. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IDNA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IDNA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund (IDNA) 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, IDNA achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 4.00% return.

IDNA

• 1D: -2.18%
• 1M: -2.18%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 10.53%
• 1Y: 41.74%
• 3Y*: 6.48%
• 5Y*: -8.26%
• 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)

IDNA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IDNA iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund	9.51%	17.26%	-0.72%	-7.63%	-42.28%	-3.98%	54.30%	20.83%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	13.02%

Correlation

The correlation between IDNA and IAU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2019	0.14

The correlation between IDNA and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IDNA vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDNA	IAU
Healthcare	97.8%	-
Industrials	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IDNA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDNA

IDNA Risk / Return Rank: 57
IDNA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IDNA Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IDNA Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IDNA Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
IDNA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

IDNA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund (IDNA) 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.

	IDNA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.23	+0.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	1.63	+0.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.09	1.87	+2.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.79	4.69	+7.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDNA vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDNA Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDNA 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

	IDNA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	1.23	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.29	1.05	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.63	-0.53

Drawdowns

IDNA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDNA drawdown since its inception was -68.26%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDNA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDNA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.26%	-45.14%	-23.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.66%	-19.18%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.73%	-19.18%	-10.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.26%	-20.93%	-47.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.01%	-16.88%	-29.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.24%	-15.96%	-20.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	7.63%	-3.93%

Volatility

IDNA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund (IDNA) has a higher volatility of 7.24% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.78%. This indicates that IDNA'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

	IDNA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.24%	5.78%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.21%	23.00%	-4.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.51%	26.51%	-2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.42%	17.96%	+10.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.53%	15.90%	+13.63%

IDNA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IDNA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IDNA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IDNA iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Fund	1.08%	1.18%	0.98%	1.04%	0.54%	0.70%	0.26%	0.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDNA and IAU in my portfolio?

IDNA and IAU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDNA or IAU?

IDNA has higher volatility (7.24%) compared to IAU (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDNA dropped -68.26% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IDNA or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.82% vs -8.26% for IDNA. 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, IDNA or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.82% return vs -8.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDNA or IAU?

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

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

IDNA has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IDNA and IAU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDNA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 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.