PBEU vs. IAK

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PBEU (Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - PBEU tracks the BITA European Banks Index while IAK tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PBEU charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

PBEU vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU) 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, PBEU achieves a 17.19% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 6.94% return.

PBEU

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 3.63%
• 6M: 14.30%
• YTD: 17.19%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAK

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 5.26%
• 6M: 10.84%
• YTD: 6.94%
• 1Y: 14.53%
• 3Y*: 19.94%
• 5Y*: 15.38%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

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

PBEU vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	17.19%	11.42%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	6.94%	2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between PBEU and IAK is 0.05, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025	0.05

Return for Risk

PBEU vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBEU

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

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 35
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PBEU vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU) 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.

	PBEU	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.93	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.39	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.17	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.92	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	4.66	—

Drawdowns

PBEU vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBEU drawdown since its inception was -17.26%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBEU and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBEU	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.26%	-77.38%	+60.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.62%	—
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	-0.71%	-3.38%	+2.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-16.05%	+12.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.12%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PBEU	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.86%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.77%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.97%	15.66%	+11.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.97%	18.14%	+8.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.97%	20.87%	+6.10%

PBEU vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBEU has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBEU vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

PBEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than IAK's 2.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.50%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBEU and IAK in my portfolio?

PBEU and IAK have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PBEU or IAK?

On fees, PBEU is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBEU or IAK?

PBEU is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IAK.

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

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.50%, compared with 0.01% for PBEU.

What is the main difference between PBEU and IAK?

PBEU tracks BITA European Banks Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: Portfolio Building Block and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for PBEU and 0.38% for IAK.