IRBO vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IRBO (iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IRBO is a Robotics fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IRBO returned 14.13%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IRBO charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IRBO vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) 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, IRBO achieves a 66.09% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

IRBO

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 26.10%
• YTD: 66.09%
• 6M: 63.47%
• 1Y: 112.42%
• 3Y*: 36.54%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

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)

IRBO vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	66.09%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	48.85%	34.47%	-14.31%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	2.67%

Correlation

The correlation between IRBO and IAU is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.11

IRBO vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IRBO	IAU
Technology	83.8%	-
Communication Services	5.5%	-
Industrials	4.7%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-

Return for Risk

IRBO vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRBO

IRBO Risk / Return Rank: 90
IRBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
IRBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IRBO Omega Ratio Rank: 87
IRBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
IRBO Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

IRBO vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) 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.

	IRBO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	1.23	+2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	1.62	+2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.24	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.01	1.69	+4.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.88	4.19	+16.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IRBO vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRBO Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRBO 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

	IRBO	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	1.23	+2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	1.03	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.62	+0.01

Drawdowns

IRBO vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRBO drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRBO and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRBO	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-45.14%	-9.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-19.18%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-19.18%	-13.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	-20.93%	-29.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-17.70%	+16.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.85%	-15.96%	-3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.40%	7.71%	-2.31%

Volatility

IRBO vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that IRBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRBO	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	5.50%	+6.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.12%	23.02%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.94%	26.42%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.58%	17.95%	+10.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	15.90%	+11.85%

IRBO vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRBO has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRBO vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither IRBO nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IRBO iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRBO and IAU in my portfolio?

IRBO and IAU have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IRBO or IAU?

IRBO has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRBO dropped -54.50% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IRBO or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 14.13% for IRBO. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRBO or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 14.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRBO or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IRBO.

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

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

What is the main difference between IRBO and IAU?

IRBO is categorized as Robotics, while IAU is Gold. IRBO tracks NYSE FactSet Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IRBO and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 1.23), 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.