ITEQ vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITEQ (BlueStar Israel Technology ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ITEQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ returned 11.00%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ITEQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ITEQ vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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, ITEQ achieves a 17.19% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 11.00%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

ITEQ

• 1D: -2.89%
• 1M: 7.48%
• YTD: 17.19%
• 6M: 20.44%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 0.67%
• 10Y*: 11.00%

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)

ITEQ vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	17.19%	13.71%	11.70%	4.70%	-30.36%	-8.04%	58.96%	37.59%	-0.63%	26.87%
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 ITEQ 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	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2015	0.09

ITEQ vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITEQ	IAU
Technology	58.7%	-
Industrials	16.6%	-
Utilities	10.1%	-
Financial Services	5.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	-
Healthcare	2.3%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Communication Services	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

ITEQ vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITEQ

ITEQ Risk / Return Rank: 35
ITEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ITEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
ITEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 30
ITEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
ITEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

ITEQ vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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.

	ITEQ	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.23	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	1.62	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.24	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	1.69	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.76	4.19	+1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITEQ vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITEQ 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

	ITEQ	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	1.23	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	1.03	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.84	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.62	-0.19

Drawdowns

ITEQ vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITEQ drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITEQ and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITEQ	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-45.14%	-9.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-19.18%	+6.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.78%	-19.18%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.29%	-20.93%	-29.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.63%	-21.82%	-32.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.17%	-17.70%	+4.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.52%	-15.96%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.86%	7.71%	-2.85%

Volatility

ITEQ vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) has a higher volatility of 7.71% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that ITEQ'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

	ITEQ	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.71%	5.50%	+2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.33%	23.02%	-5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.77%	26.42%	-3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.96%	17.95%	+7.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.40%	15.90%	+7.50%

ITEQ vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITEQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITEQ vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

ITEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	0.72%	0.85%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITEQ and IAU in my portfolio?

ITEQ 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, ITEQ or IAU?

ITEQ has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITEQ dropped -54.63% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ITEQ or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 11.00% for ITEQ. 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, ITEQ or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 11.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITEQ or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ITEQ.

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

ITEQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.72%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between ITEQ and IAU?

ITEQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. ITEQ tracks BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ITEQ and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 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.