IYY vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYY (iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IYY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYY returned 15.01%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IYY vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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, IYY achieves a 10.92% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, IYY has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 15.01%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.31% annualized return.

IYY

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 10.92%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.47%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 12.92%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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)

IYY vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF	10.92%	17.08%	24.15%	26.48%	-19.57%	26.38%	20.10%	30.78%	-5.16%	21.33%
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 IYY and IAU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.07

The correlation between IYY and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (10 years) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYY vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYY	IAU
Technology	34.8%	-
Financial Services	12.0%	-
Communication Services	10.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Industrials	9.0%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	3.6%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	100.0%
Basic Materials	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

IYY vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYY

IYY Risk / Return Rank: 68
IYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
IYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IYY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

IYY vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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.

	IYY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	1.23	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	1.62	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.24	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	1.69	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	4.19	+10.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYY vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYY Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYY 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

	IYY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	1.23	+1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	1.03	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.84	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.62	-0.18

Drawdowns

IYY vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYY drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYY and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYY	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.17%	-45.14%	-10.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-19.18%	+10.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-19.18%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.46%	-20.93%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	-21.82%	-13.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-17.70%	+16.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-15.96%	+5.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	7.71%	-5.77%

Volatility

IYY vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) is 2.93%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that IYY 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

	IYY	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	5.50%	-2.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.04%	23.02%	-13.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	26.42%	-14.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	17.95%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	15.90%	+2.26%

IYY vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYY has a 0.20% 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

IYY vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IYY iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.05%	1.29%	1.48%	1.04%	1.31%	1.80%	1.97%	1.62%	1.81%	1.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYY and IAU in my portfolio?

IYY and IAU have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYY or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to IYY (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYY dropped -55.17% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IYY or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IYY leads with 15.01% vs 13.31% for IAU. On fees, IYY is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, IYY has been the lower-risk option at 2.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYY or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IYY has performed better with a 15.01% return vs 13.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYY or IAU?

IYY is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

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

IYY has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IYY and IAU?

IYY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IAU is Gold. IYY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IYY and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 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.