ETEC vs. VOX
ETEC (iShares Breakthrough Environmental Solutions ETF) and VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Emerging Green Technologies Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ETEC returned 4.97%/yr vs 22.37%/yr for VOX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ETEC charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VOX.
Performance
ETEC vs. VOX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ETEC achieves a 14.82% return, which is significantly higher than VOX's -0.61% return.
ETEC
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -3.42%
- 6M
- 10.61%
- YTD
- 14.82%
- 1Y
- 37.37%
- 3Y*
- 4.97%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VOX
- 1D
- 1.02%
- 1M
- 2.48%
- 6M
- -1.54%
- YTD
- -0.61%
- 1Y
- 14.52%
- 3Y*
- 22.37%
- 5Y*
- 6.96%
- 10Y*
- 8.26%
ETEC vs. VOX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ETEC iShares Breakthrough Environmental Solutions ETF | 14.82% | 31.89% | -18.16% | -6.50% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -0.61% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 25.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between ETEC and VOX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2023 | 0.49 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ETEC vs. VOX — Risk / Return Rank
ETEC
VOX
ETEC vs. VOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Breakthrough Environmental Solutions ETF (ETEC) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). 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.
| ETEC | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.16 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 1.03 | +1.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.96 | 3.41 | +5.55 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ETEC vs. VOX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ETEC drawdown since its inception was -39.71%, smaller than the maximum VOX drawdown of -57.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETEC and VOX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ETEC | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.71% | -57.18% | +17.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.60% | -13.56% | +0.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.71% | -21.15% | -18.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -46.76% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -46.76% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.00% | -3.95% | -7.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.75% | -11.88% | -2.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.17% | 4.10% | +0.07% |
Volatility
ETEC vs. VOX - Volatility Comparison
iShares Breakthrough Environmental Solutions ETF (ETEC) has a higher volatility of 11.55% compared to Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) at 6.31%. This indicates that ETEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ETEC | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.55% | 6.31% | +5.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.22% | 12.61% | +7.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.30% | 16.14% | +8.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.60% | 21.30% | +3.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.60% | 20.93% | +3.67% |
ETEC vs. VOX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ETEC has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VOX's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
ETEC vs. VOX - Dividend Comparison
ETEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than VOX's 1.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ETEC iShares Breakthrough Environmental Solutions ETF | 0.46% | 0.33% | 1.24% | 4.18% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 1.03% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.03% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.73% | 0.90% | 2.77% | 3.83% | 2.67% | 3.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ETEC and VOX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ETEC has higher volatility (11.55%) compared to VOX (6.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETEC dropped -39.71% vs VOX's -57.18%.
On 3-year performance, VOX leads with 22.37% vs 4.97% for ETEC. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 6.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VOX has performed better with a 22.37% return vs 4.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for ETEC.
VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.46% for ETEC.
ETEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while VOX is Communications Equities. ETEC tracks Morningstar Global Emerging Green Technologies Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ETEC and 0.09% for VOX.
ETEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.87), 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.
Find the right allocation for ETEC and VOX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer