XHYD vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XHYD (BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - XHYD is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclical, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XHYD returned 7.51%/yr vs 29.88%/yr for IAU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XHYD charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

XHYD vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) 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, XHYD achieves a 0.44% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return.

XHYD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 5.22%
• 3Y*: 7.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

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

XHYD vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XHYD BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF	0.44%	8.33%	6.29%	11.75%	-5.80%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-4.18%

Correlation

The correlation between XHYD and IAU is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022	0.21

The correlation between XHYD and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XHYD vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHYD	IAU
Consumer Defensive	29.7%	-
Utilities	23.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	-
Financial Services	2.0%	-
Industrials	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

XHYD vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
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.

XHYD vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) 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.

	XHYD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.14	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	1.52	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.23	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	1.52	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.53	3.80	+6.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XHYD vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHYD Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHYD 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

	XHYD	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.14	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.61	+0.05

Drawdowns

XHYD vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHYD drawdown since its inception was -11.02%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHYD and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHYD	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.02%	-45.14%	+34.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.49%	-20.04%	+17.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.70%	-20.04%	+16.34%
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	-1.08%	-19.88%	+18.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-15.97%	+13.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.56%	7.99%	-7.43%

Volatility

XHYD vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) is 1.83%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that XHYD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XHYD	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	5.64%	-3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.28%	23.33%	-20.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79%	26.68%	-22.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.15%	18.02%	-10.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.15%	15.94%	-8.79%

XHYD vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHYD has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHYD vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither XHYD nor IAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XHYD BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF	5.31%	5.83%	6.32%	5.80%	5.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHYD and IAU in my portfolio?

XHYD and IAU have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHYD or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to XHYD (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHYD dropped -11.02% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, XHYD or IAU?

On 3-year performance, IAU leads with 29.88% vs 7.51% for XHYD. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, XHYD has been the lower-risk option at 1.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHYD or IAU?

Over the 3-year period, IAU has performed better with a 29.88% return vs 7.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHYD or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XHYD.

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

XHYD has the higher dividend yield at 5.31%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between XHYD and IAU?

XHYD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while IAU is Gold. XHYD tracks ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclical, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHYD and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XHYD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.14), 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.