ISVBF vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISVBF (iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ISVBF is a China Equities fund tracking the MSCI China A Inclusion Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISVBF returned -5.16%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISVBF charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ISVBF vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETF (ISVBF) 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, ISVBF achieves a -6.46% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return.

ISVBF

• 1D: -2.03%
• 1M: -2.58%
• YTD: -6.46%
• 6M: -7.93%
• 1Y: 7.29%
• 3Y*: 9.94%
• 5Y*: -5.16%
• 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)

ISVBF vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ISVBF iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETF	-6.46%	30.64%	18.96%	-9.28%	-23.01%	-22.12%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	2.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ISVBF 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	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2021	0.09

Return for Risk

ISVBF vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISVBF

ISVBF Risk / Return Rank: 13
ISVBF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
ISVBF Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
ISVBF Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ISVBF Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
ISVBF Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

ISVBF vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETF (ISVBF) 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.

	ISVBF	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.24	1.23	-0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	1.62	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.24	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	1.69	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.89	4.19	-3.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISVBF vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISVBF Sharpe Ratio is 0.24, which is lower than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISVBF 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

	ISVBF	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24	1.23	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.17	1.03	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.15	0.62	-0.77

Drawdowns

ISVBF vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISVBF drawdown since its inception was -53.78%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISVBF and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISVBF	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.78%	-45.14%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.18%	-19.18%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.77%	-19.18%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.22%	-20.93%	-32.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.18%	-17.70%	-6.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.76%	-15.96%	-16.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.21%	7.71%	+0.50%

Volatility

ISVBF vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETF (ISVBF) has a higher volatility of 10.81% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that ISVBF'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

	ISVBF	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.81%	5.50%	+5.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.55%	23.02%	+3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.57%	26.42%	+4.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.20%	17.95%	+12.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.21%	15.90%	+14.31%

ISVBF vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISVBF has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISVBF vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither ISVBF nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISVBF and IAU in my portfolio?

ISVBF 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, ISVBF or IAU?

ISVBF has higher volatility (10.81%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISVBF dropped -53.78% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ISVBF or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs -5.16% for ISVBF. 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, ISVBF or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs -5.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISVBF or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for ISVBF.

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

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

What is the main difference between ISVBF and IAU?

ISVBF is categorized as China Equities, while IAU is Gold. ISVBF tracks MSCI China A Inclusion Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for ISVBF and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.24), 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.