QTOP vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - QTOP is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTOP returned 45.99% vs 32.20% for IAU. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QTOP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

QTOP vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTOP achieves a 22.71% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

QTOP

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 10.74%
• YTD: 22.71%
• 6M: 21.95%
• 1Y: 45.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

QTOP vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	22.71%	22.19%	5.80%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	-4.20%

Correlation

The correlation between QTOP and IAU is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2024	0.09

The correlation between QTOP and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QTOP vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTOP	IAU
Technology	57.7%	-
Communication Services	17.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	-
Healthcare	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	-
Industrials	0.9%	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTOP vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTOP

QTOP Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QTOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QTOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QTOP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

QTOP vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) 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.

	QTOP	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	1.23	+1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	1.62	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.24	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	1.69	+1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	4.19	+9.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTOP vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTOP Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTOP and IAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QTOP	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	1.23	+1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	0.62	+0.86

Drawdowns

QTOP vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTOP drawdown since its inception was -23.28%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTOP and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTOP	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.28%	-45.14%	+21.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.88%	-19.18%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-17.70%	+17.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-15.96%	+12.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	7.71%	-4.22%

Volatility

QTOP vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.23% and 5.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTOP	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.23%	5.50%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	23.02%	-9.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.40%	26.42%	-9.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.70%	17.95%	+4.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.70%	15.90%	+6.80%

QTOP vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTOP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QTOP vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	0.32%	0.38%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTOP and IAU in my portfolio?

QTOP and IAU have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTOP or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to QTOP (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTOP dropped -23.28% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, QTOP or IAU?

On 1-year performance, QTOP leads with 45.99% vs 32.20% for IAU. On fees, QTOP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QTOP has been the lower-risk option at 5.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTOP or IAU?

Over the 1-year period, QTOP has performed better with a 45.99% return vs 32.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTOP or IAU?

QTOP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTOP or IAU?

QTOP has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between QTOP and IAU?

QTOP is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IAU is Gold. QTOP tracks Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QTOP and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTOP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 1.23), 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.