INDY vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

INDY (iShares India 50 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - INDY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P CNX Nifty Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, INDY returned 6.14%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. INDY charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

INDY vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares India 50 ETF (INDY) 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, INDY achieves a -15.38% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, INDY has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 6.14%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

INDY

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: -3.23%
• YTD: -15.38%
• 6M: -14.03%
• 1Y: -14.69%
• 3Y*: 1.39%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: 6.14%

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)

INDY vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INDY iShares India 50 ETF	-15.38%	4.97%	3.47%	16.88%	-7.31%	19.43%	10.01%	9.99%	-4.32%	36.15%
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 INDY and IAU is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009	0.14

INDY vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	INDY	IAU
Financial Services	35.3%	-
Energy	11.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	-
Technology	8.6%	-
Industrials	7.7%	-
Basic Materials	7.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	-
Communication Services	5.3%	-
Healthcare	4.5%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

INDY vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

INDY

INDY Risk / Return Rank: 1
INDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
INDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
INDY Omega Ratio Rank: 2
INDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
INDY Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

INDY vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares India 50 ETF (INDY) 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.

	INDY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.04	1.23	-2.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.49	1.62	-3.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.24	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	1.69	-2.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.78	4.19	-5.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INDY vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INDY Sharpe Ratio is -1.04, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INDY 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

	INDY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.04	1.23	-2.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	1.03	-0.95
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	0.21	0.62	-0.41

Drawdowns

INDY vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INDY drawdown since its inception was -44.74%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INDY and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	INDY	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.74%	-45.14%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.95%	-19.18%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.40%	-19.18%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.40%	-20.93%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.50%	-21.82%	-21.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.00%	-17.70%	-3.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.22%	-15.96%	+3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.25%	7.71%	+0.54%

Volatility

INDY vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares India 50 ETF (INDY) is 4.79%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that INDY 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

	INDY	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	5.50%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	23.02%	-10.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.18%	26.42%	-12.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.94%	17.95%	-3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.58%	15.90%	+3.68%

INDY vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

INDY has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

INDY vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

INDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.58%, while IAU has not 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%
INDY iShares India 50 ETF	9.58%	8.11%	0.24%	0.38%	3.75%	7.12%	0.08%	0.58%	0.55%	0.27%	0.48%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INDY and IAU in my portfolio?

INDY and IAU have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INDY or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to INDY (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INDY dropped -44.74% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, INDY or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 6.14% for INDY. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, INDY has been the lower-risk option at 4.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, INDY or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 6.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INDY or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for INDY.

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

INDY has the higher dividend yield at 9.58%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between INDY and IAU?

INDY is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IAU is Gold. INDY tracks S&P CNX Nifty Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for INDY and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs -1.04), 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.