IFV vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IFV (First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IFV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IFV returned 6.29%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VOO. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IFV charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

IFV vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFV achieves a 2.96% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 10.16% return. Over the past 10 years, IFV has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 6.29%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.

IFV

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -4.58%
• 6M: -3.93%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 1Y: 13.49%
• 3Y*: 13.09%
• 5Y*: 3.86%
• 10Y*: 6.29%
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

VOO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 8.58%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.58%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

*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)
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	$917.19K	$1.79M	$1.48M
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.82B	$3.78B	$5.44B

IFV vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	2.96%	32.26%	0.33%	20.45%	-25.39%	5.59%	6.15%	26.29%	-20.44%	32.58%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.16%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between IFV and VOO is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2014	0.66

The correlation between IFV and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (3 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IFV vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFV	VOO
Industrials	29.7%	8.5%
Technology	16.2%	38.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	9.5%
Financial Services	9.1%	11.4%
Basic Materials	7.4%	1.7%
Healthcare	5.7%	8.9%
Energy	5.6%	3.0%
Real Estate	5.4%	1.8%
Utilities	4.6%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.5%
Communication Services	2.3%	9.9%

Return for Risk

IFV vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFV

IFV Risk / Return Rank: 29
IFV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IFV Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IFV Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IFV Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IFV Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

IFV vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	IFV	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	1.53	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	2.13	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.28	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	2.21	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.79	9.44	-6.64

IFV vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFV Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFV and VOO, 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

IFV vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFV drawdown since its inception was -48.89%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFV and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFV	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.89%	-33.99%	-14.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.57%	-8.90%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-18.69%	+4.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.00%	-24.52%	-8.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.89%	-33.99%	-14.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.04%	-1.38%	-8.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.14%	-3.67%	-9.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.40%	2.08%	+2.32%

Volatility

IFV vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.54%. This indicates that IFV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFV	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	3.54%	+2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.96%	10.10%	+5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.14%	12.82%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	16.93%	+1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.60%	18.01%	+2.59%

IFV vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFV has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFV vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

IFV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.89%, more than VOO's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	1.89%	1.95%	2.31%	2.88%	3.79%	1.04%	1.53%	2.91%	1.86%	1.43%	1.10%	1.52%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.07%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFV and VOO in my portfolio?

IFV and VOO have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFV or VOO?

IFV has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to VOO (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFV dropped -48.89% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, IFV or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.14% vs 6.29% for IFV. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFV or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.14% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFV or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for IFV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFV or VOO?

IFV has the higher dividend yield at 1.89%, compared with 1.07% for VOO.

What is the main difference between IFV and VOO?

IFV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. IFV tracks Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for IFV and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.68), 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.