ITDB vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ITDB (Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ITDB is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. ITDB is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. Over the past year, ITDB returned 16.43% vs 32.47% for IAU. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ITDB charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ITDB vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF (ITDB) 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, ITDB achieves a 6.50% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return.

ITDB

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.96%
• YTD: 6.50%
• 6M: 6.87%
• 1Y: 16.43%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.39%
• 5Y*: 18.52%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

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

ITDB vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ITDB Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF	6.50%	14.58%	9.65%	11.73%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	63.95%	26.85%	4.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ITDB and IAU is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.28

ITDB vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITDB	IAU
Technology	26.0%	-
Financial Services	14.9%	-
Industrials	12.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	-
Communication Services	8.0%	-
Healthcare	7.6%	-
Real Estate	5.4%	100.0%
Energy	4.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Utilities	3.8%	-

Return for Risk

ITDB vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITDB

ITDB Risk / Return Rank: 70
ITDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ITDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ITDB Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ITDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ITDB Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
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.

ITDB vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF (ITDB) 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.

	ITDB	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	1.24	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	1.63	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.25	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	1.70	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	4.18	+8.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITDB vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITDB Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITDB 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

	ITDB	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	1.24	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.94	0.63	+1.32

Drawdowns

ITDB vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITDB drawdown since its inception was -8.41%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITDB and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITDB	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-45.14%	+36.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.66%	-19.18%	+13.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-17.02%	+16.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.94%	-15.96%	+15.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	7.79%	-6.51%

Volatility

ITDB vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF (ITDB) is 2.45%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that ITDB 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

	ITDB	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.45%	5.50%	-3.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.90%	23.03%	-17.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.23%	26.41%	-19.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.60%	17.94%	-9.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.60%	15.90%	-7.30%

ITDB vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITDB has a 0.09% 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

ITDB vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

ITDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITDB Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2030 ETF	1.92%	2.05%	1.96%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITDB and IAU in my portfolio?

ITDB and IAU have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITDB or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to ITDB (2.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITDB dropped -8.41% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ITDB or IAU?

On 1-year performance, IAU leads with 32.47% vs 16.43% for ITDB. On fees, ITDB is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ITDB has been the lower-risk option at 2.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITDB or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, IAU has performed better with a 32.47% return vs 16.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITDB or IAU?

ITDB is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

ITDB has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between ITDB and IAU?

ITDB is categorized as Target Retirement Date, while IAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for ITDB and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.24), 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.