SBIO vs. IAUM

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SBIO returned 6.86%/yr vs 17.21%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SBIO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

SBIO vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBIO achieves a 24.17% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's -7.12% return.

SBIO

• 1D: -2.45%
• 1M: 15.41%
• 6M: 24.53%
• YTD: 24.17%
• 1Y: 93.61%
• 3Y*: 27.21%
• 5Y*: 6.86%
• 10Y*: 10.96%
• ALL TIME*: 9.19%

IAUM

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -4.97%
• 6M: -12.59%
• YTD: -7.12%
• 1Y: 19.59%
• 3Y*: 26.77%
• 5Y*: 17.21%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.56%

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

SBIO vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	24.17%	55.07%	3.81%	8.68%	-28.08%	-14.92%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-7.12%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between SBIO and IAUM 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021	0.12

Return for Risk

SBIO vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBIO

SBIO Risk / Return Rank: 95
SBIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SBIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SBIO Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SBIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SBIO Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 24
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

SBIO vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	SBIO	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	0.71	+2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	1.05	+2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.15	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.44	0.75	+6.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.36	1.75	+18.61

SBIO vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBIO Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBIO and IAUM, 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

SBIO vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBIO drawdown since its inception was -63.06%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -26.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBIO and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBIO	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.06%	-26.31%	-36.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.66%	-26.31%	+13.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.44%	-26.31%	-16.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.49%	-26.31%	-26.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.75%	-25.77%	+18.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.20%	-5.74%	-22.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.61%	11.24%	-6.63%

Volatility

SBIO vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a higher volatility of 11.36% compared to iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) at 6.30%. This indicates that SBIO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBIO	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.36%	6.30%	+5.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.09%	23.90%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.73%	27.75%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.90%	18.26%	+15.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.16%	18.17%	+14.99%

SBIO vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBIO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBIO vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

Neither SBIO nor IAUM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.55%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	2.79%	1.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBIO and IAUM in my portfolio?

SBIO and IAUM 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, SBIO or IAUM?

SBIO has higher volatility (11.36%) compared to IAUM (6.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBIO dropped -63.06% vs IAUM's -26.31%.

Which ETF is better, SBIO or IAUM?

On 5-year performance, IAUM leads with 17.21% vs 6.86% for SBIO. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 6.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBIO or IAUM?

Over the 5-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 17.21% return vs 6.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBIO or IAUM?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SBIO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SBIO or IAUM?

SBIO and IAUM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SBIO and IAUM?

SBIO is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IAUM is Gold. SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SBIO and 0.09% for IAUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 0.71), 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.