NFRA vs. IAU
NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - NFRA is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFRA returned 7.41%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
NFRA vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NFRA achieves a 9.54% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.44% return. Over the past 10 years, NFRA has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 7.41%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.31% annualized return.
NFRA
- 1D
- 0.72%
- 1M
- 0.76%
- YTD
- 9.54%
- 6M
- 10.58%
- 1Y
- 14.51%
- 3Y*
- 12.83%
- 5Y*
- 5.59%
- 10Y*
- 7.41%
IAU
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -9.54%
- YTD
- -2.44%
- 6M
- -2.22%
- 1Y
- 22.32%
- 3Y*
- 29.07%
- 5Y*
- 17.23%
- 10Y*
- 12.31%
NFRA vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund | 9.54% | 18.42% | 4.76% | 8.96% | -10.11% | 9.61% | 2.24% | 26.27% | -7.74% | 15.92% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -2.44% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between NFRA and IAU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2013 | 0.15 |
The correlation between NFRA and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.31 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
NFRA vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
NFRA
IAU
NFRA vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) 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.
| NFRA | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.44 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.19 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.89 | 0.99 | +0.91 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.96 | 2.83 | +3.13 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
NFRA vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NFRA drawdown since its inception was -32.49%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFRA and IAU.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| NFRA | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.49% | -45.14% | +12.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.28% | -24.40% | +17.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.15% | -24.40% | +13.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.75% | -24.40% | +1.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.49% | -24.40% | -8.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.60% | -22.03% | +20.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.52% | -15.97% | +11.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.32% | 8.47% | -6.15% |
Volatility
NFRA vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) is 3.19%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 7.70%. This indicates that NFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| NFRA | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.19% | 7.70% | -4.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.35% | 23.94% | -15.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.44% | 27.17% | -16.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.99% | 18.16% | -5.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.96% | 16.02% | -1.06% |
NFRA vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
NFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
NFRA vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
NFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.51%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund | 5.51% | 6.00% | 3.33% | 2.57% | 2.28% | 2.71% | 2.22% | 2.27% | 3.06% | 2.81% | 2.98% | 2.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NFRA and IAU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to NFRA (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFRA dropped -32.49% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 12.31% vs 7.41% for NFRA. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, NFRA has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 12.31% return vs 7.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for NFRA.
NFRA has the higher dividend yield at 5.51%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
NFRA is categorized as Utilities Equities, while IAU is Gold. NFRA tracks STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for NFRA and 0.25% for IAU.
NFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 0.89), 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.
Find the right allocation for NFRA and IAU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer