TCHI vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCHI (iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - TCHI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI China Technology Sub-Industries Select Capped Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TCHI returned 17.38%/yr vs 31.29%/yr for IAU. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TCHI charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

TCHI vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF (TCHI) 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, TCHI achieves a 11.01% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

TCHI

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 9.28%
• YTD: 11.01%
• 6M: 11.70%
• 1Y: 44.38%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 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)

TCHI vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TCHI iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF	11.01%	33.13%	9.09%	-5.61%	-24.32%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	0.93%

Correlation

The correlation between TCHI and IAU is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2022	0.20

TCHI vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TCHI	IAU
Technology	56.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	15.8%	-
Industrials	13.5%	-
Communication Services	10.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Energy	1.0%	-
Financial Services	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TCHI vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCHI

TCHI Risk / Return Rank: 44
TCHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
TCHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TCHI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
TCHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
TCHI Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

TCHI vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF (TCHI) 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.

	TCHI	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.23	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	1.62	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	1.69	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.74	4.19	+0.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCHI vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCHI Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCHI 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

	TCHI	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.23	+0.51
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	0.10	0.62	-0.53

Drawdowns

TCHI vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCHI drawdown since its inception was -43.96%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCHI and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCHI	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.96%	-45.14%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.73%	-19.18%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.78%	-19.18%	-8.60%
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	-2.88%	-17.70%	+14.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.49%	-15.96%	-5.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.39%	7.71%	+1.68%

Volatility

TCHI vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF (TCHI) has a higher volatility of 9.03% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that TCHI'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

	TCHI	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.03%	5.50%	+3.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.79%	23.02%	-5.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.64%	26.42%	-0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.88%	17.95%	+16.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.88%	15.90%	+18.98%

TCHI vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCHI has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCHI vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

TCHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TCHI iShares MSCI China Multisector Tech ETF	2.19%	2.44%	2.49%	4.28%	1.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCHI and IAU in my portfolio?

TCHI and IAU have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCHI or IAU?

TCHI has higher volatility (9.03%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCHI dropped -43.96% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, TCHI or IAU?

On 3-year performance, IAU leads with 31.29% vs 17.38% for TCHI. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TCHI or IAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAU has performed better with a 31.29% return vs 17.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TCHI or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for TCHI.

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

TCHI has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between TCHI and IAU?

TCHI is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAU is Gold. TCHI tracks MSCI China Technology Sub-Industries Select Capped Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for TCHI and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 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.