MBBA vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

MBBA (iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - MBBA is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by iShares, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. MBBA is actively managed, while IAU is passively managed. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

MBBA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF (MBBA) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MBBA

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -3.03%
• 1M: -11.58%
• YTD: -7.61%
• 6M: -11.09%
• 1Y: 19.64%
• 3Y*: 27.30%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: 11.42%

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

MBBA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
MBBA iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF	1.27%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-20.04%

Correlation

The correlation between MBBA and IAU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2026	0.30

Return for Risk

MBBA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MBBA

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 21
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

MBBA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF (MBBA) 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.

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.

	MBBA	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.72	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.06	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.15	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.75	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.14	—

Drawdowns

MBBA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MBBA drawdown since its inception was -2.83%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBBA and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MBBA	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.83%	-45.14%	+42.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-26.17%	+25.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.12%	-15.98%	+14.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.21%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MBBA	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.42%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.55%	27.55%	-23.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.55%	18.24%	-13.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.55%	16.01%	-11.46%

MBBA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MBBA and IAU have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MBBA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

MBBA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%
MBBA iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF	1.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MBBA and IAU in my portfolio?

MBBA and IAU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MBBA or IAU?

Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MBBA or IAU?

MBBA and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

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

MBBA has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between MBBA and IAU?

MBBA is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while IAU is Gold.