IQQ vs. IAU

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

IQQ (iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQQ charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IQQ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (IQQ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IQQ

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

IAU

• 1D: 1.95%
• 1M: -3.16%
• 6M: -14.22%
• YTD: -5.36%
• 1Y: 19.86%
• 3Y*: 27.38%
• 5Y*: 17.42%
• 10Y*: 11.65%
• ALL TIME*: 10.77%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IQQ iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF	$42.46M	$42.46M	$42.46M

IQQ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IQQ iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF	-1.68%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQ and IAU is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2026	0.77

Return for Risk

IQQ vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 25
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

IQQ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (IQQ) 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.

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.

	IQQ	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.72	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.06	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.15	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.76	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.75	—

Drawdowns

IQQ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQ drawdown since its inception was -4.15%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQ and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQ	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-45.14%	+40.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.36%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.28%	-24.37%	+22.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-16.01%	+14.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	11.36%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IQQ	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.12%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.24%	27.86%	-7.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	18.37%	+1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	16.06%	+4.18%

IQQ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQ has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IQQ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IQQ nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQQ and IAU in my portfolio?

IQQ and IAU have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IQQ or IAU?

On fees, IQQ is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQQ or IAU?

IQQ is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

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

What is the main difference between IQQ and IAU?

IQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IAU is Gold. IQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IQQ and 0.25% for IAU.