MBBA vs. IAU
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. Their 0.31 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.
Performance
MBBA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
MBBA
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- -0.86%
- 6M
- -0.09%
- YTD
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
IAU
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- -1.70%
- 6M
- -13.00%
- YTD
- -6.14%
- 1Y
- 20.38%
- 3Y*
- 27.49%
- 5Y*
- 17.16%
- 10Y*
- 11.45%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.71%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $325.17M | $361.79M | $469.22M | |
| $431.77K | $417.52K | $899.94K |
MBBA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
MBBA iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF | 0.22% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -18.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBBA and IAU is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2026 | 0.31 |
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Return for Risk
MBBA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
MBBA
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
IAU
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.16 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.78 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 1.67 | — |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBBA | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.83% | -45.14% | +42.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -26.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -26.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -26.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.36% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.76% | -24.99% | +23.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.16% | -16.02% | +14.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 12.26% | — |
Volatility
MBBA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| MBBA | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.99% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 20.79% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.55% | 27.90% | -23.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 18.43% | -13.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 16.08% | -11.53% |
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 2.63%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM |
|---|---|
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% |
MBBA iShares Mortgage-Backed Securities Active ETF | 2.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MBBA and IAU have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
MBBA and IAU have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.
MBBA has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
MBBA is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while IAU is Gold.
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