UAE vs. IBIT

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

UAE (iShares MSCI UAE ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UAE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI All UAE Capped Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, UAE returned 0.41% vs -46.35% for IBIT. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UAE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

UAE vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UAE achieves a 3.28% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -26.71% return.

UAE

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -3.29%
• 6M: 0.09%
• YTD: 3.28%
• 1Y: 0.41%
• 3Y*: 12.58%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 5.20%

IBIT

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -2.10%
• 6M: -32.61%
• YTD: -26.71%
• 1Y: -46.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UAE vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF	3.28%	21.35%	12.82%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-26.71%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between UAE and IBIT 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.21

Return for Risk

UAE vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

UAE

UAE Risk / Return Rank: 10
UAE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
UAE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
UAE Omega Ratio Rank: 10
UAE Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
UAE Martin Ratio Rank: 10

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

UAE vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	UAE	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.02	-1.05	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.19	-1.59	+1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.82	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.02	-0.87	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.04	-1.40	+1.44

UAE vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UAE Sharpe Ratio is 0.02, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UAE and IBIT, 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

UAE vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UAE drawdown since its inception was -60.49%, which is greater than IBIT's maximum drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UAE and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	UAE	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.49%	-53.30%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.50%	-53.30%	+31.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.17%	-48.95%	+37.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.78%	-17.71%	-6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.20%	33.14%	-23.94%

Volatility

UAE vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) is 7.08%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 10.89%. This indicates that UAE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UAE	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.08%	10.89%	-3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.75%	34.83%	-14.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.99%	44.38%	-21.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.20%	49.92%	-30.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.63%	49.92%	-30.29%

UAE vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

UAE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

UAE vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

UAE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF	4.46%	4.10%	3.32%	3.25%	2.67%	4.88%	4.75%	3.54%	5.56%	3.38%	4.74%	3.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UAE and IBIT in my portfolio?

UAE and IBIT 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, UAE or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (10.89%) compared to UAE (7.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UAE dropped -60.49% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, UAE or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, UAE leads with 0.41% vs -46.35% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, UAE has been the lower-risk option at 7.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UAE or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, UAE has performed better with a 0.41% return vs -46.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UAE or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for UAE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UAE or IBIT?

UAE has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between UAE and IBIT?

UAE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. UAE tracks MSCI All UAE Capped Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for UAE and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UAE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.02 vs -1.05), 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.