ROBO vs. IAU
ROBO (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBO is a Robotics fund tracking the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROBO returned 13.24%/yr vs 12.29%/yr for IAU. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ROBO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
ROBO vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ROBO achieves a 24.08% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -2.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ROBO has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 13.24%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 12.29% annualized return.
ROBO
- 1D
- 2.48%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- YTD
- 24.08%
- 6M
- 24.69%
- 1Y
- 53.50%
- 3Y*
- 13.69%
- 5Y*
- 6.67%
- 10Y*
- 13.24%
IAU
- 1D
- -0.39%
- 1M
- -7.14%
- YTD
- -2.27%
- 6M
- -2.91%
- 1Y
- 25.03%
- 3Y*
- 28.88%
- 5Y*
- 18.77%
- 10Y*
- 12.29%
ROBO vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF | 24.08% | 23.71% | -1.28% | 23.74% | -33.92% | 15.34% | 45.26% | 29.51% | -20.92% | 44.26% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -2.27% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between ROBO and IAU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2013 | 0.08 |
Over the past year, ROBO and IAU have become more correlated (0.30) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
ROBO vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
ROBO
IAU
ROBO vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) 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.
| ROBO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.19 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.00 | 1.03 | +1.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.31 | 2.83 | +8.48 |
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Drawdowns
ROBO vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ROBO drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBO and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ROBO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.65% | -45.14% | +1.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.35% | -24.40% | +7.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.92% | -24.40% | -3.52% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.65% | -24.40% | -19.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.65% | -24.40% | -19.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.80% | -21.90% | +17.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.91% | -15.97% | +3.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.59% | 8.83% | -4.24% |
Volatility
ROBO vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) has a higher volatility of 10.88% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 8.16%. This indicates that ROBO'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.
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Volatility by Period
| ROBO | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.88% | 8.16% | +2.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.09% | 24.16% | -4.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.67% | 27.30% | -2.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.98% | 18.16% | +5.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.32% | 16.05% | +7.27% |
ROBO vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
ROBO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
ROBO vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
ROBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, 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% |
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF | 0.34% | 0.42% | 0.55% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.20% | 0.37% | 0.37% | 0.02% | 0.19% | 0.28% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ROBO and IAU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ROBO has higher volatility (10.88%) compared to IAU (8.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBO dropped -43.65% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, ROBO leads with 13.24% vs 12.29% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 8.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ROBO has performed better with a 13.24% return vs 12.29%. 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 0.95% for ROBO.
ROBO has the higher dividend yield at 0.34%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
ROBO is categorized as Robotics, while IAU is Gold. ROBO tracks ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROBO and 0.25% for IAU.
ROBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 0.92), 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.
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