PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IFRA vs. CEF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IFRA vs. CEF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) and CEF (Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust) are both funds - IFRA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while CEF is a Gold fund actively managed by Sprott. IFRA is passively managed, while CEF is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IFRA returned 13.16%/yr vs 16.96%/yr for CEF. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IFRA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for CEF.

Performance

IFRA vs. CEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) and Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFRA achieves a 18.48% return, which is significantly higher than CEF's -4.91% return.

IFRA

1D
1.29%
1M
2.41%
YTD
18.48%
6M
17.32%
1Y
31.06%
3Y*
19.49%
5Y*
13.16%
10Y*
—

CEF

1D
0.62%
1M
-9.04%
YTD
-4.91%
6M
0.53%
1Y
40.89%
3Y*
33.17%
5Y*
16.96%
10Y*
12.56%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IFRA vs. CEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
IFRA
iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF		18.48%15.90%17.02%13.42%-3.32%29.81%7.37%27.00%-7.97%
CEF
Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust		-4.91%92.76%24.07%6.80%1.07%-8.32%31.99%16.91%-5.35%

Correlation

The correlation between IFRA and CEF is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.27

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.24

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.24

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018

0.18

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF

Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust

Often compared with IFRA:
IFRA vs. PAVEIFRA vs. IGFIFRA vs. NFRAIFRA vs. GIIIFRA vs. VOOIFRA vs. FNDAIFRA vs. IYH
Often compared with CEF:
CEF vs. GLTRCEF vs. SMHCEF vs. PSLVCEF vs. TYGCEF vs. PICKCEF vs. STKCEF vs. SILJ

Return for Risk

IFRA vs. CEF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IFRA
IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
Martin Ratio Rank
CEF
CEF Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
CEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
CEF Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
CEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
CEF Martin Ratio Rank: 1818
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IFRA vs. CEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) and Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

IFRACEFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.97
1.09

+0.88

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.89
1.45

+1.43

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.22

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.55

1.41

+2.14

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.99

3.72

+9.27

IFRA vs. CEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the CEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFRA and CEF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IFRA vs. CEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFRA drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum CEF drawdown of -62.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFRA and CEF.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IFRACEFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-41.06%

-62.29%

+21.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.40%

-30.01%

+21.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.93%

-30.01%

+10.08%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.93%

-30.01%

+10.08%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-30.01%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.30%

-26.45%

+25.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.13%

-27.33%

+22.20%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.30%

11.35%

-9.05%

Volatility

IFRA vs. CEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is 5.38%, while Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) has a volatility of 11.51%. This indicates that IFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IFRACEFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.38%

11.51%

-6.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.69%

36.13%

-24.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.13%

38.81%

-23.68%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.98%

24.54%

-6.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.37%

21.96%

-0.59%

IFRA vs. CEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFRA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than CEF's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFRA vs. CEF - Dividend Comparison

IFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, while CEF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
CEF
Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.08%0.07%0.09%0.10%
IFRA
iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF		1.57%1.84%1.75%1.98%1.98%1.63%2.08%1.68%2.50%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IFRA and CEF have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

CEF has higher volatility (11.51%) compared to IFRA (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFRA dropped -41.06% vs CEF's -62.29%.

IFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.09), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IFRA and CEF

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer