NSI vs. IAK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NSI (National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NSI is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Alerian National Security Emerging Markets Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NSI returned 30.04% vs 19.67% for IAK. Their 0.01 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NSI charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

NSI vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSI achieves a 12.80% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 10.11% return.

NSI

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.76%
• 6M: 4.35%
• YTD: 12.80%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.07%

IAK

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.03%
• 6M: 12.56%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 15.99%
• 10Y*: 13.18%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	$15.27M	$20.59M	$12.29M
NSI National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF	$95.71K	$65.80K	$59.17K

NSI vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NSI National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF	12.80%	35.94%	-1.21%	4.94%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	10.11%	9.50%	28.25%	1.83%

Correlation

The correlation between NSI and IAK is -0.21, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.01

The correlation between NSI and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NSI vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NSI	IAK
Technology	32.1%	-
Financial Services	19.6%	99.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Communication Services	7.6%	-
Basic Materials	6.4%	-
Industrials	4.1%	-
Healthcare	2.6%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	-
Energy	1.2%	-
Utilities	1.0%	-
Real Estate	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

NSI vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NSI

NSI Risk / Return Rank: 56
NSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
NSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
NSI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
NSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
NSI Martin Ratio Rank: 56

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 54
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 47
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NSI vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) 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.

	NSI	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.24	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	1.81	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.22	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.59	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	6.29	+0.71

NSI vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSI 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.

Drawdowns

NSI vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSI drawdown since its inception was -18.77%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSI and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSI	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.77%	-77.38%	+58.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-7.62%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.76%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.48%	-3.20%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-16.01%	+12.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.30%	3.13%	+1.17%

Volatility

NSI vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) has a higher volatility of 7.61% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 6.56%. This indicates that NSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSI	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	6.56%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.56%	12.42%	+6.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	15.99%	+5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	18.13%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.05%	20.92%	-1.87%

NSI vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSI has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSI vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

NSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than IAK's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.42%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
NSI National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF	1.22%	1.69%	3.39%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSI and IAK in my portfolio?

NSI and IAK have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSI or IAK?

NSI has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to IAK (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSI dropped -18.77% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, NSI or IAK?

On 1-year performance, NSI leads with 30.04% vs 19.67% for IAK. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NSI or IAK?

Over the 1-year period, NSI has performed better with a 30.04% return vs 19.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NSI or IAK?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for NSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NSI or IAK?

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.22% for NSI.

What is the main difference between NSI and IAK?

NSI is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. NSI tracks Alerian National Security Emerging Markets Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: Tuttle and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for NSI and 0.38% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.24), 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.