HFXI vs. VYMI

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

HFXI (IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HFXI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HFXI returned 11.37%/yr vs 11.00%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HFXI charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

HFXI vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with HFXI having a 18.05% return and VYMI slightly higher at 18.16%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HFXI having a 11.37% annualized return and VYMI not far behind at 11.00%.

HFXI

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: 10.65%
• YTD: 18.05%
• 1Y: 33.38%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 11.37%
• ALL TIME*: 9.46%

VYMI

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 4.99%
• 6M: 10.02%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 1Y: 33.89%
• 3Y*: 22.89%
• 5Y*: 13.93%
• 10Y*: 11.00%
• ALL TIME*: 11.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	$11.44M	$12.76M	$11.27M
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	$81.12M	$82.35M	$91.64M

HFXI vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	18.05%	30.10%	7.58%	19.56%	-10.71%	13.96%	6.88%	23.67%	-12.69%	22.68%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	18.16%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between HFXI and VYMI is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016	0.87

The correlation between HFXI and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

HFXI vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HFXI	VYMI
Financial Services	24.6%	42.4%
Industrials	18.3%	6.1%
Technology	16.7%	5.3%
Healthcare	9.2%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	6.0%
Basic Materials	5.9%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	6.7%
Energy	3.4%	7.9%
Utilities	3.3%	5.2%
Communication Services	3.2%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.1%

Return for Risk

HFXI vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HFXI

HFXI Risk / Return Rank: 78
HFXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
HFXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
HFXI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
HFXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
HFXI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 88
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HFXI vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	HFXI	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.59	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.52	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.47	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	3.36	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	13.26	-1.96

HFXI vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFXI Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFXI and VYMI, 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

HFXI vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFXI drawdown since its inception was -32.42%, smaller than the maximum VYMI drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFXI and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFXI	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.42%	-40.00%	+7.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.84%	-10.14%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-12.84%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.35%	-24.05%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.42%	-40.00%	+7.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	0.00%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.41%	-6.22%	+0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	2.56%	+0.40%

Volatility

HFXI vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 3.30%. This indicates that HFXI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFXI	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	3.30%	+2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.93%	11.30%	+3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.61%	13.22%	+3.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.25%	14.85%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.61%	16.55%	+0.06%

HFXI vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFXI has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HFXI vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

HFXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, less than VYMI's 3.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	3.28%	4.19%	2.68%	2.49%	4.65%	3.10%	2.00%	3.19%	4.33%	2.56%	2.71%	0.78%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.46%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFXI and VYMI in my portfolio?

HFXI and VYMI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HFXI or VYMI?

HFXI has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to VYMI (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFXI dropped -32.42% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, HFXI or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, HFXI leads with 11.37% vs 11.00% for VYMI. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 3.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HFXI or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, HFXI has performed better with a 11.37% return vs 11.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFXI or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HFXI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HFXI or VYMI?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.46%, compared with 3.28% for HFXI.

What is the main difference between HFXI and VYMI?

HFXI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. HFXI tracks FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for HFXI and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.02), 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.