IFRA vs. VIS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) and VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - IFRA tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index while VIS tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IFRA returned 13.03%/yr vs 12.60%/yr for VIS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IFRA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VIS.

Performance

IFRA vs. VIS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFRA achieves a 16.86% return, which is significantly higher than VIS's 14.63% return.

IFRA

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

VIS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 15.23%
• 1Y: 26.72%
• 3Y*: 22.52%
• 5Y*: 12.60%
• 10Y*: 14.06%

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

IFRA vs. VIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	16.86%	15.90%	17.02%	13.42%	-3.32%	29.81%	7.37%	27.00%	-8.57%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	14.63%	18.57%	16.85%	22.50%	-8.57%	20.80%	12.34%	30.09%	-13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IFRA and VIS is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2018	0.86

The correlation between IFRA and VIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IFRA vs. VIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFRA	VIS
Industrials	39.4%	89.4%
Utilities	37.7%	4.3%
Basic Materials	14.7%	0.1%
Energy	7.9%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Technology	-	4.5%

Return for Risk

IFRA vs. VIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

VIS

VIS Risk / Return Rank: 46
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

IFRA vs. VIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IFRA	VIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.64	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.37	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.28	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	2.18	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	9.06	+3.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFRA vs. VIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VIS Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFRA and VIS, 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

	IFRA	VIS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	1.64	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.69	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.52	+0.11

Drawdowns

IFRA vs. VIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFRA drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum VIS drawdown of -63.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFRA and VIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFRA	VIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.06%	-63.51%	+22.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-12.29%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.93%	-20.80%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.93%	-22.96%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-1.22%	-1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-8.38%	+3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.96%	-0.71%

Volatility

IFRA vs. VIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is 4.89%, while Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) has a volatility of 5.15%. This indicates that IFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFRA	VIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	5.15%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.32%	13.47%	-2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.79%	16.42%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.92%	18.35%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	20.43%	+0.95%

IFRA vs. VIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFRA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VIS's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFRA vs. VIS - Dividend Comparison

IFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, more than VIS's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	0.89%	1.01%	1.23%	1.36%	1.52%	1.11%	1.38%	1.68%	1.90%	1.60%	1.81%	1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFRA and VIS in my portfolio?

IFRA and VIS have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFRA or VIS?

VIS has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to IFRA (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFRA dropped -41.06% vs VIS's -63.51%.

Which ETF is better, IFRA or VIS?

On 5-year performance, IFRA leads with 13.03% vs 12.60% for VIS. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.10% 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, IFRA or VIS?

Over the 5-year period, IFRA has performed better with a 13.03% return vs 12.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFRA or VIS?

VIS is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IFRA.

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

IFRA has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.89% for VIS.

What is the main difference between IFRA and VIS?

IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IFRA and 0.10% for VIS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.64), 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.