INDA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

INDA (iShares MSCI India ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - INDA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI India Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, INDA returned 6.56%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. INDA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

INDA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) 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, INDA achieves a -12.38% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, INDA has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 6.56%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

INDA

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -2.61%
• YTD: -12.38%
• 6M: -11.33%
• 1Y: -12.23%
• 3Y*: 4.17%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 6.56%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

INDA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INDA iShares MSCI India ETF	-12.38%	2.68%	8.63%	17.16%	-8.94%	21.36%	14.83%	6.49%	-6.67%	36.08%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between INDA and IAU is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2012	0.12

INDA vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	INDA	IAU
Financial Services	28.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	-
Industrials	10.3%	-
Energy	9.5%	-
Technology	8.3%	-
Basic Materials	8.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	-
Healthcare	6.2%	-
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Utilities	4.6%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	100.0%

Return for Risk

INDA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

INDA

INDA Risk / Return Rank: 2
INDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Omega Ratio Rank: 2
INDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
INDA Martin Ratio Rank: 1

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

INDA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) 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.

	INDA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.84	1.23	-2.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.15	1.62	-2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.87	1.24	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.66	1.69	-2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.59	4.19	-5.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INDA vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INDA Sharpe Ratio is -0.84, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INDA 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

	INDA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.84	1.23	-2.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	1.03	-0.88
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.84	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.62	-0.39

Drawdowns

INDA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INDA drawdown since its inception was -45.07%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INDA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	INDA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.07%	-45.14%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.69%	-19.18%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.72%	-19.18%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.72%	-20.93%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.07%	-21.82%	-23.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.42%	-17.70%	-1.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.57%	-15.96%	+6.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.71%	7.71%	0.00%

Volatility

INDA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.26% and 5.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	INDA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	5.50%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.66%	23.02%	-10.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.67%	26.42%	-11.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.37%	17.95%	-2.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	15.90%	+5.22%

INDA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

INDA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

INDA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither INDA nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
INDA iShares MSCI India ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.76%	0.16%	0.00%	6.44%	0.27%	0.99%	0.94%	1.09%	0.90%	1.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INDA and IAU in my portfolio?

INDA and IAU have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INDA or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to INDA (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INDA dropped -45.07% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, INDA or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 6.56% for INDA. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, INDA has been the lower-risk option at 5.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, INDA or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 6.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INDA or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for INDA.

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

INDA and IAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between INDA and IAU?

INDA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IAU is Gold. INDA tracks MSCI India Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for INDA and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs -0.84), 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.