IDU vs. NFRA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IDU (iShares U.S. Utilities ETF) and NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds - IDU tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index while NFRA tracks the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDU returned 8.80%/yr vs 7.08%/yr for NFRA. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDU charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for NFRA.

Performance

IDU vs. NFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDU achieves a 3.25% return, which is significantly lower than NFRA's 8.66% return. Over the past 10 years, IDU has outperformed NFRA with an annualized return of 8.80%, while NFRA has yielded a comparatively lower 7.08% annualized return.

IDU

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -4.84%
• YTD: 3.25%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 8.80%

NFRA

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 8.66%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 5.51%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

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

IDU vs. NFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	3.25%	15.23%	23.23%	-5.02%	0.17%	16.96%	-1.07%	24.21%	3.93%	11.94%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	8.66%	18.42%	4.76%	8.96%	-10.11%	9.61%	2.24%	26.27%	-7.74%	15.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IDU and NFRA 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2013	0.62

The correlation between IDU and NFRA shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IDU vs. NFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDU	NFRA
Utilities	90.3%	25.0%
Industrials	8.8%	25.9%
Energy	0.5%	11.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	21.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	0.7%
Healthcare	-	3.6%
Real Estate	-	4.7%
Technology	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

IDU vs. NFRA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDU

IDU Risk / Return Rank: 21
IDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IDU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IDU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

NFRA

NFRA Risk / Return Rank: 38
NFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
NFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
NFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 37
NFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
NFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

IDU vs. NFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). 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.

	IDU	NFRA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	1.33	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	1.91	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.24	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	1.89	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.38	6.06	-3.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDU vs. NFRA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDU Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the NFRA Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDU and NFRA, 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

	IDU	NFRA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68	1.33	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.43	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.47	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.48	-0.06

Drawdowns

IDU vs. NFRA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDU drawdown since its inception was -53.88%, which is greater than NFRA's maximum drawdown of -32.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDU and NFRA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDU	NFRA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.88%	-32.49%	-21.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-7.28%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	-11.15%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.11%	-22.75%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-32.49%	-3.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	-2.39%	-4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-4.53%	-6.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.89%	2.27%	+1.62%

Volatility

IDU vs. NFRA - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) has a higher volatility of 5.11% compared to FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) at 3.36%. This indicates that IDU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFRA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDU	NFRA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	3.36%	+1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	8.30%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.80%	10.37%	+3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	12.98%	+3.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.72%	14.97%	+3.75%

IDU vs. NFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDU has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than NFRA's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDU vs. NFRA - Dividend Comparison

IDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, less than NFRA's 5.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	2.23%	2.23%	2.29%	2.79%	2.39%	2.39%	2.94%	2.71%	2.80%	2.62%	3.18%	4.22%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.55%	6.00%	3.33%	2.57%	2.28%	2.71%	2.22%	2.27%	3.06%	2.81%	2.98%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDU and NFRA in my portfolio?

IDU and NFRA 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 is riskier, IDU or NFRA?

IDU has higher volatility (5.11%) compared to NFRA (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDU dropped -53.88% vs NFRA's -32.49%.

Which ETF is better, IDU or NFRA?

On 10-year performance, IDU leads with 8.80% vs 7.08% for NFRA. On fees, IDU is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, NFRA has been the lower-risk option at 3.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDU or NFRA?

Over the 10-year period, IDU has performed better with a 8.80% return vs 7.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDU or NFRA?

IDU is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for NFRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDU or NFRA?

NFRA has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 2.23% for IDU.

What is the main difference between IDU and NFRA?

IDU tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index, while NFRA tracks STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IDU and 0.47% for NFRA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 0.68), 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.