IXG vs. IAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IXG (iShares Global Financials ETF) and IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from iShares - IXG tracks the S&P Global Financials Sector Index while IAI tracks the DJ US Select / Investment Services. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXG returned 11.83%/yr vs 18.46%/yr for IAI. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXG charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for IAI.

Performance

IXG vs. IAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXG achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly lower than IAI's 0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, IXG has underperformed IAI with an annualized return of 11.83%, while IAI has yielded a comparatively higher 18.46% annualized return.

IXG

• 1D: -1.08%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: -0.23%
• 6M: 3.74%
• 1Y: 12.70%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 10.96%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

IAI

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 16.52%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 18.46%

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

IXG vs. IAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF	-0.23%	28.54%	25.69%	14.97%	-8.97%	25.07%	-2.99%	24.60%	-16.33%	23.78%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	0.24%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-9.47%	28.86%

Correlation

The correlation between IXG and IAI is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.84

The correlation between IXG and IAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXG vs. IAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXG	IAI
Financial Services	97.8%	99.9%
Technology	1.1%	0.1%
Industrials	0.2%	-
Energy	0.1%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IXG vs. IAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXG

IXG Risk / Return Rank: 25
IXG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IXG Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
IXG Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IXG Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IXG Martin Ratio Rank: 28

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 23
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

IXG vs. IAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). 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.

	IXG	IAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	0.87	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	1.27	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.16	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	1.00	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.97	2.88	+1.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IXG vs. IAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXG Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is comparable to the IAI Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXG and IAI, 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

	IXG	IAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93	0.87	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.63	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.81	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.28	-0.04

Drawdowns

IXG vs. IAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXG drawdown since its inception was -78.42%, roughly equal to the maximum IAI drawdown of -75.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXG and IAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXG	IAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.42%	-75.46%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-16.52%	+5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.54%	-23.14%	+9.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.20%	-28.84%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.47%	-40.38%	-3.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.88%	-5.57%	+2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.75%	-22.66%	+2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.21%	5.75%	-2.54%

Volatility

IXG vs. IAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) is 3.70%, while iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that IXG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXG	IAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.70%	4.48%	-0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.90%	14.92%	-4.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.67%	19.05%	-5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	21.42%	-4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.12%	22.84%	-2.72%

IXG vs. IAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXG has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IAI's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXG vs. IAI - Dividend Comparison

IXG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, more than IAI's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.08%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF	2.05%	2.04%	2.64%	2.62%	3.71%	1.69%	2.13%	2.87%	3.14%	2.12%	2.21%	2.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IXG and IAI in my portfolio?

IXG and IAI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IXG or IAI?

IAI has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to IXG (3.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXG dropped -78.42% vs IAI's -75.46%.

Which ETF is better, IXG or IAI?

On 10-year performance, IAI leads with 18.46% vs 11.83% for IXG. On fees, IAI is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, IXG has been the lower-risk option at 3.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXG or IAI?

Over the 10-year period, IAI has performed better with a 18.46% return vs 11.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXG or IAI?

IAI is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXG or IAI?

IXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.05%, compared with 1.08% for IAI.

What is the main difference between IXG and IAI?

IXG tracks S&P Global Financials Sector Index, while IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXG and 0.41% for IAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.87), 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.