MADE vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

MADE (iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - MADE is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P U.S. Manufacturing Select Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MADE returned 44.16% vs 30.01% for IAU. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MADE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

MADE vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF (MADE) 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, MADE achieves a 19.00% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.06% return.

MADE

• 1D: -3.56%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 19.00%
• 6M: 19.13%
• 1Y: 44.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -3.63%
• 1M: -8.18%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 17.65%
• 10Y*: 12.97%

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

MADE vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MADE iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF	19.00%	27.34%	2.10%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.06%	63.95%	7.28%

Correlation

The correlation between MADE and IAU is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2024	0.14

MADE vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MADE	IAU
Industrials	72.6%	-
Technology	16.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	-
Energy	1.8%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

MADE vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MADE

MADE Risk / Return Rank: 72
MADE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
MADE Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
MADE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
MADE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
MADE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

MADE vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF (MADE) 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.

	MADE	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	1.07	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	1.45	+1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.22	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	1.42	+2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.93	3.60	+11.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MADE vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MADE Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MADE 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

	MADE	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	1.07	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	0.61	+0.56

Drawdowns

MADE vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MADE drawdown since its inception was -23.79%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MADE and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MADE	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.79%	-45.14%	+21.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.43%	-20.04%	+6.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.04%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.56%	-20.04%	+16.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-15.97%	+12.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	7.89%	-4.82%

Volatility

MADE vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF (MADE) has a higher volatility of 7.89% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.64%. This indicates that MADE'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

	MADE	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.89%	5.64%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.39%	23.33%	-5.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.79%	26.67%	-5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.42%	18.01%	+4.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.42%	15.94%	+6.48%

MADE vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

MADE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

MADE vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

MADE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MADE iShares U.S. Manufacturing ETF	0.67%	0.89%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MADE and IAU in my portfolio?

MADE and IAU have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MADE or IAU?

MADE has higher volatility (7.89%) compared to IAU (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MADE dropped -23.79% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, MADE or IAU?

On 1-year performance, MADE leads with 44.16% vs 30.01% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MADE or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, MADE has performed better with a 44.16% return vs 30.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MADE or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for MADE.

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

MADE has the higher dividend yield at 0.67%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between MADE and IAU?

MADE is categorized as Industrials Equities, while IAU is Gold. MADE tracks S&P U.S. Manufacturing Select Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for MADE and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MADE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.07), 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.