TUR vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TUR (iShares MSCI Turkey ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - TUR is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TUR returned 2.47%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TUR charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

TUR vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Turkey ETF (TUR) 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, TUR achieves a 13.80% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, TUR has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 2.47%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

TUR

• 1D: -2.34%
• 1M: -6.69%
• YTD: 13.80%
• 6M: 16.84%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 10.24%
• 5Y*: 14.80%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

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)

TUR vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TUR iShares MSCI Turkey ETF	13.80%	-1.54%	12.91%	-8.83%	105.75%	-27.41%	-1.19%	14.49%	-41.46%	37.58%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between TUR and IAU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.13

The correlation between TUR and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (3 years) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TUR vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUR	IAU
Industrials	25.7%	-
Financial Services	15.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	13.7%	-
Basic Materials	11.5%	-
Energy	6.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	-
Healthcare	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	100.0%
Technology	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

TUR vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUR

TUR Risk / Return Rank: 35
TUR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TUR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
TUR Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TUR Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
TUR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

TUR vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Turkey ETF (TUR) 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.

	TUR	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.23	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	1.62	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.69	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.67	4.19	+1.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUR vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUR Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUR 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

	TUR	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	1.23	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	1.03	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	0.84	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.62	-0.59

Drawdowns

TUR vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUR drawdown since its inception was -72.34%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUR and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUR	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.34%	-45.14%	-27.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.07%	-19.18%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.63%	-19.18%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.63%	-20.93%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.25%	-21.82%	-37.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.38%	-17.70%	-10.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.90%	-15.96%	-23.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.36%	7.71%	-2.35%

Volatility

TUR vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Turkey ETF (TUR) has a higher volatility of 14.14% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that TUR'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

	TUR	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.14%	5.50%	+8.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.90%	23.02%	-3.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.40%	26.42%	-1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.16%	17.95%	+16.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.39%	15.90%	+18.49%

TUR vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

TUR vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

TUR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, 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%
TUR iShares MSCI Turkey ETF	2.11%	2.40%	1.79%	4.43%	1.97%	4.22%	0.87%	3.29%	4.05%	2.64%	2.89%	3.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUR and IAU in my portfolio?

TUR and IAU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TUR or IAU?

TUR has higher volatility (14.14%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUR dropped -72.34% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, TUR or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 2.47% for TUR. 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, TUR or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 2.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUR or IAU?

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

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

TUR has the higher dividend yield at 2.11%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between TUR and IAU?

TUR is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAU is Gold. TUR tracks MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for TUR and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 1.20), 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.