IYZ vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IYZ returned 28.37%/yr vs 29.28%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

IYZ vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 29.57% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's -2.40% return.

IYZ

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 4.54%
• YTD: 29.57%
• 6M: 32.60%
• 1Y: 56.05%
• 3Y*: 28.37%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 5.94%

IAUM

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -10.19%
• YTD: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.08%
• 1Y: 24.22%
• 3Y*: 29.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IYZ vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF	29.57%	29.28%	20.53%	3.90%	-30.29%	-0.29%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-2.40%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IYZ and IAUM is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021	0.10

Return for Risk

IYZ vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYZ

IYZ Risk / Return Rank: 93
IYZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
IYZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IYZ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IYZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
IYZ Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 27
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

IYZ vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	IYZ	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.02	0.90	+2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.95	1.26	+2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.19	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.54	1.00	+5.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.99	2.87	+23.12

IYZ vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYZ Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is higher than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYZ and IAUM, 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

IYZ vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -24.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYZ	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.11%	-24.37%	-52.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.62%	-24.37%	+15.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.85%	-24.37%	+10.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.77%	-21.99%	+17.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.10%	-5.38%	-34.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	8.46%	-6.29%

Volatility

IYZ vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) has a higher volatility of 8.76% compared to iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) at 7.71%. This indicates that IYZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYZ	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.76%	7.71%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.61%	23.82%	-8.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.65%	27.06%	-8.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.88%	18.05%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.30%	18.05%	+1.25%

IYZ vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYZ vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF	1.53%	2.04%	1.94%	2.27%	2.55%	2.51%	2.60%	2.36%	2.15%	3.54%	2.27%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYZ and IAUM in my portfolio?

IYZ and IAUM have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYZ or IAUM?

IYZ has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to IAUM (7.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs IAUM's -24.37%.

Which ETF is better, IYZ or IAUM?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 29.28% vs 28.37% for IYZ. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 7.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYZ or IAUM?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 29.28% return vs 28.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYZ or IAUM?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYZ or IAUM?

IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between IYZ and IAUM?

IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while IAUM is Gold. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.09% for IAUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 0.90), 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.