QTUM vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QTUM returned 28.09%/yr vs 17.23%/yr for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

QTUM vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) 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, QTUM achieves a 47.39% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.44% return.

QTUM

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 47.39%
• 6M: 45.72%
• 1Y: 82.93%
• 3Y*: 48.15%
• 5Y*: 28.09%
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -10.21%
• YTD: -2.44%
• 6M: -2.22%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: 29.07%
• 5Y*: 17.23%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

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

QTUM vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	47.39%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-19.44%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	-2.44%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	7.34%

Correlation

The correlation between QTUM and IAU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018	0.12

The correlation between QTUM and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QTUM vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTUM	IAU
Technology	85.1%	-
Industrials	8.7%	-
Communication Services	4.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	-
Healthcare	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTUM vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 90
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 26
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

QTUM vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) 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.

	QTUM	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	0.89	+2.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	1.25	+2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.19	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.46	0.99	+4.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.77	2.83	+16.93

QTUM vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTUM Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTUM 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.

Drawdowns

QTUM vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTUM	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.45%	-45.14%	+6.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.26%	-24.40%	+9.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-24.40%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.45%	-24.40%	-14.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.42%	-22.03%	+17.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-15.97%	+7.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.21%	8.47%	-4.26%

Volatility

QTUM vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 14.18% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 7.70%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTUM	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.18%	7.70%	+6.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.17%	23.94%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.39%	27.17%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.99%	18.16%	+8.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.40%	16.02%	+11.38%

QTUM vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTUM vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.73%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTUM and IAU in my portfolio?

QTUM and IAU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTUM or IAU?

QTUM has higher volatility (14.18%) compared to IAU (7.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM dropped -38.45% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, QTUM or IAU?

On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 28.09% vs 17.23% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 7.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTUM or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 28.09% return vs 17.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTUM or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.

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

QTUM has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between QTUM and IAU?

QTUM is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 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.