EXI vs. IFRA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EXI (iShares Global Industrials ETF) and IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds from iShares - EXI tracks the S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC while IFRA tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EXI returned 11.17%/yr vs 13.03%/yr for IFRA. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EXI charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IFRA.

Performance

EXI vs. IFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EXI achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly lower than IFRA's 16.86% return.

EXI

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 13.08%
• 1Y: 22.09%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: 11.17%
• 10Y*: 12.43%

IFRA

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 16.86%
• 6M: 16.28%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 20.10%
• 5Y*: 13.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

EXI vs. IFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	10.88%	25.88%	12.47%	22.04%	-12.36%	17.37%	11.33%	27.13%	-13.00%
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	16.86%	15.90%	17.02%	13.42%	-3.32%	29.81%	7.37%	27.00%	-8.57%

Correlation

The correlation between EXI and IFRA is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2018	0.81

The correlation between EXI and IFRA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

EXI vs. IFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EXI	IFRA
Industrials	92.8%	39.4%
Utilities	2.9%	37.7%
Technology	2.7%	-
Communication Services	0.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	0.0%
Basic Materials	0.2%	14.7%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	0.0%
Energy	-	7.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EXI vs. IFRA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EXI

EXI Risk / Return Rank: 40
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

IFRA

IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 60
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 52
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

EXI vs. IFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). 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.

	EXI	IFRA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.94	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.85	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	3.40	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.30	12.70	-5.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EXI vs. IFRA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EXI Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the IFRA Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EXI and IFRA, 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

	EXI	IFRA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	1.94	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.73	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.63	-0.21

Drawdowns

EXI vs. IFRA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EXI drawdown since its inception was -62.60%, which is greater than IFRA's maximum drawdown of -41.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EXI and IFRA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EXI	IFRA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.60%	-41.06%	-21.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.35%	-8.40%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	-19.93%	+5.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.23%	-19.93%	-7.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-2.66%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.97%	-5.14%	-4.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	2.25%	+0.78%

Volatility

EXI vs. IFRA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) at 4.89%. This indicates that EXI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFRA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EXI	IFRA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	4.89%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.42%	11.32%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.92%	14.79%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	17.92%	-0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	21.38%	-2.97%

EXI vs. IFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EXI has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than IFRA's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

EXI vs. IFRA - Dividend Comparison

EXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than IFRA's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	1.19%	1.32%	1.47%	1.84%	1.63%	1.42%	1.26%	1.72%	2.21%	1.48%	1.75%	1.95%
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	1.59%	1.84%	1.75%	1.98%	1.98%	1.63%	2.08%	1.68%	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EXI and IFRA in my portfolio?

EXI and IFRA have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EXI or IFRA?

EXI has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to IFRA (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EXI dropped -62.60% vs IFRA's -41.06%.

Which ETF is better, EXI or IFRA?

On 5-year performance, IFRA leads with 13.03% vs 11.17% for EXI. On fees, IFRA is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EXI or IFRA?

Over the 5-year period, IFRA has performed better with a 13.03% return vs 11.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EXI or IFRA?

IFRA is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for EXI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EXI or IFRA?

IFRA has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 1.19% for EXI.

What is the main difference between EXI and IFRA?

EXI tracks S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC, while IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for EXI and 0.30% for IFRA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.39), 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.