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NERD vs. IAK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

NERD vs. IAK

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NERD (Roundhill Video Games ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NERD is a Gaming fund actively managed by Roundhill Investments, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. NERD is actively managed, while IAK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NERD returned -8.51%/yr vs 13.37%/yr for IAK. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NERD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IAK.

Performance

NERD vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NERD achieves a -18.01% return, which is significantly lower than IAK's 1.11% return.

NERD

1D
-0.41%
1M
-4.10%
YTD
-18.01%
6M
-19.37%
1Y
-21.50%
3Y*
9.13%
5Y*
-8.51%
10Y*
—

IAK

1D
0.68%
1M
4.20%
YTD
1.11%
6M
0.88%
1Y
4.33%
3Y*
18.27%
5Y*
13.37%
10Y*
12.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NERD vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
NERD
Roundhill Video Games ETF		-18.01%23.14%28.52%12.94%-43.30%-17.57%89.66%8.14%
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		1.11%9.50%28.25%11.28%11.33%26.84%-2.86%5.34%

Correlation

The correlation between NERD and IAK is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.03

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.15

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.24

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2019

0.27

Over the past year, the correlation between NERD and IAK has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.27, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

NERD vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
NERD
IAK

Communication Services

91.1%

-

Technology

3.9%

-

Consumer Cyclical

3.9%

-

Industrials

1.2%

-

Financial Services

0.0%
99.5%

Basic Materials

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

0.5%

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Communication Services

NERD
91.1%
IAK

-

Technology

NERD
3.9%
IAK

-

Consumer Cyclical

NERD
3.9%
IAK

-

Industrials

NERD
1.2%
IAK

-

Financial Services

NERD
0.0%
IAK
99.5%

Basic Materials

NERD

-

IAK

-

Consumer Defensive

NERD

-

IAK

-

Energy

NERD

-

IAK

-

Healthcare

NERD

-

IAK
0.5%

Real Estate

NERD

-

IAK

-

Utilities

NERD

-

IAK

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Roundhill Video Games ETF

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF

Often compared with NERD:
NERD vs. ESPONERD vs. HERONERD vs. METANERD vs. MAGSNERD vs. SBSNERD vs. VOONERD vs. QQQM
Often compared with IAK:
IAK vs. KIEIAK vs. KBWPIAK vs. IHEIAK vs. DIVBIAK vs. INFLIAK vs. VYMIAK vs. VTI

Return for Risk

NERD vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
NERD
NERD Risk / Return Rank: 22
Overall Rank
NERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
Sharpe Ratio Rank
NERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
Sortino Ratio Rank
NERD Omega Ratio Rank: 22
Omega Ratio Rank
NERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
Calmar Ratio Rank
NERD Martin Ratio Rank: 33
Martin Ratio Rank
IAK
IAK Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1414
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

NERD vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

NERDIAKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-1.09
0.29

-1.38

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.50
0.50

-2.00

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.83

1.06

-0.23

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.69

0.57

-1.26

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.23

1.27

-2.50

NERD vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NERD Sharpe Ratio is -1.09, which is lower than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NERD and IAK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

NERD vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NERD drawdown since its inception was -65.58%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NERD and IAK.

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Drawdown Indicators

NERDIAKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.58%

-77.38%

+11.80%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-31.19%

-7.62%

-23.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-31.19%

-11.58%

-19.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-58.92%

-14.76%

-44.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-44.95%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-46.82%

-0.23%

-46.59%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.92%

-16.11%

-19.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

17.50%

3.41%

+14.09%

Volatility

NERD vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) is 4.21%, while iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) has a volatility of 5.49%. This indicates that NERD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

NERDIAKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.21%

5.49%

-1.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.00%

10.75%

+4.25%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.77%

15.10%

+4.67%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

24.51%

18.14%

+6.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.49%

20.92%

+4.57%

NERD vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

NERD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

NERD vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

NERD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than IAK's 2.60% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		2.60%1.69%1.49%1.44%1.69%2.26%2.07%1.84%2.33%1.62%1.68%1.62%
NERD
Roundhill Video Games ETF		0.77%0.63%1.74%1.07%0.69%0.02%1.05%0.31%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

NERD and IAK have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAK has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to NERD (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NERD dropped -65.58% vs IAK's -77.38%.

On 5-year performance, IAK leads with 13.37% vs -8.51% for NERD. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, NERD has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IAK has performed better with a 13.37% return vs -8.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAK is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for NERD.

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.60%, compared with 0.77% for NERD.

NERD is categorized as Gaming, while IAK is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill Investments and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for NERD and 0.43% for IAK.

IAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.29 vs -1.09), 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.

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