IYG vs. GABF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IYG (iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF) and GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) are both Financials Equities funds. IYG is passively managed, while GABF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IYG returned 23.09%/yr vs 21.66%/yr for GABF. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IYG charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GABF.

Performance

IYG vs. GABF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYG achieves a -0.62% return, which is significantly higher than GABF's -4.05% return.

IYG

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: -0.62%
• 6M: -1.80%
• 1Y: 13.04%
• 3Y*: 23.09%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

GABF

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: -4.05%
• 6M: -5.37%
• 1Y: -0.43%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IYG vs. GABF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IYG iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF	-0.62%	19.85%	31.94%	16.07%	1.60%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-4.05%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IYG and GABF is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2022	0.91

The correlation between IYG and GABF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYG vs. GABF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYG	GABF
Financial Services	100.0%	85.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	4.9%
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Technology	-	5.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYG vs. GABF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYG

IYG Risk / Return Rank: 21
IYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
IYG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IYG Martin Ratio Rank: 19

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 8
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 8
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

IYG vs. GABF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IYG	GABF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	-0.02	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	0.08	+1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.01	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	-0.02	+0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.10	-0.06	+2.16

IYG vs. GABF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYG Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the GABF Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYG and GABF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IYG vs. GABF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYG drawdown since its inception was -81.84%, which is greater than GABF's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYG and GABF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYG	GABF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.84%	-20.86%	-60.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.90%	-17.16%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.54%	-20.86%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-8.77%	+4.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.72%	-4.90%	-15.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.22%	7.52%	-1.30%

Volatility

IYG vs. GABF - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) have volatilities of 4.40% and 4.36%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYG	GABF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	4.36%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.15%	13.29%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.64%	17.50%	-1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.42%	20.49%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.54%	20.49%	+3.05%

IYG vs. GABF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYG has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than GABF's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYG vs. GABF - Dividend Comparison

IYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than GABF's 2.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.05%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IYG iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF	1.08%	1.00%	1.16%	1.77%	2.07%	1.25%	1.71%	1.59%	1.81%	1.24%	1.28%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYG and GABF in my portfolio?

IYG and GABF have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYG or GABF?

IYG has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to GABF (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYG dropped -81.84% vs GABF's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, IYG or GABF?

On 3-year performance, IYG leads with 23.09% vs 21.66% for GABF. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYG or GABF?

Over the 3-year period, IYG has performed better with a 23.09% return vs 21.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYG or GABF?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYG or GABF?

GABF has the higher dividend yield at 2.05%, compared with 1.08% for IYG.

What is the main difference between IYG and GABF?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYG and 0.10% for GABF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs -0.02), 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.