IHF vs. AIQ

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

IHF (iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF) and AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHF is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers Index, while AIQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IHF returned 1.18%/yr vs 18.01%/yr for AIQ. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IHF charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for AIQ.

Performance

IHF vs. AIQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IHF achieves a 12.14% return, which is significantly lower than AIQ's 30.85% return.

IHF

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 5.26%
• YTD: 12.14%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 13.12%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: 1.18%
• 10Y*: 8.92%

AIQ

• 1D: 3.98%
• 1M: 9.03%
• YTD: 30.85%
• 6M: 33.54%
• 1Y: 60.30%
• 3Y*: 33.19%
• 5Y*: 18.01%
• 10Y*: —

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

IHF vs. AIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IHF iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF	12.14%	0.92%	-7.90%	-1.11%	-7.11%	24.46%	17.67%	22.34%	1.67%
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	30.85%	31.89%	24.11%	55.39%	-36.44%	17.09%	52.88%	39.94%	-14.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IHF and AIQ is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between IHF and AIQ has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IHF vs. AIQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHF	AIQ
Healthcare	99.1%	0.4%
Financial Services	0.5%	0.5%
Technology	0.3%	77.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	3.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IHF vs. AIQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHF

IHF Risk / Return Rank: 19
IHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
IHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IHF Omega Ratio Rank: 21
IHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IHF Martin Ratio Rank: 17

AIQ

AIQ Risk / Return Rank: 76
AIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
AIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 76
AIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

IHF vs. AIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ). 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.

	IHF	AIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.37	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	2.91	-2.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.40	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	3.68	-3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.55	12.07	-10.52

IHF vs. AIQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHF Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the AIQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHF and AIQ, 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

IHF vs. AIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHF drawdown since its inception was -58.42%, which is greater than AIQ's maximum drawdown of -44.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHF and AIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHF	AIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.42%	-44.66%	-13.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.72%	-16.47%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.85%	-26.35%	-3.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.85%	-44.66%	+14.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.95%	-5.12%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-9.79%	-0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.51%	5.01%	+3.50%

Volatility

IHF vs. AIQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) is 5.07%, while Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has a volatility of 13.44%. This indicates that IHF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IHF	AIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	13.44%	-8.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.07%	21.69%	-5.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.85%	25.60%	-3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.18%	25.80%	-6.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	25.74%	-4.72%

IHF vs. AIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHF has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than AIQ's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHF vs. AIQ - Dividend Comparison

IHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, more than AIQ's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.14%	0.18%	0.14%	0.16%	0.56%	0.15%	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IHF iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF	1.09%	1.05%	0.86%	0.79%	0.74%	0.56%	0.53%	0.58%	4.01%	0.19%	0.25%	0.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IHF and AIQ in my portfolio?

IHF and AIQ have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHF or AIQ?

AIQ has higher volatility (13.44%) compared to IHF (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHF dropped -58.42% vs AIQ's -44.66%.

Which ETF is better, IHF or AIQ?

On 5-year performance, AIQ leads with 18.01% vs 1.18% for IHF. On fees, IHF is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, IHF has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHF or AIQ?

Over the 5-year period, AIQ has performed better with a 18.01% return vs 1.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHF or AIQ?

IHF is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IHF or AIQ?

IHF has the higher dividend yield at 1.09%, compared with 0.14% for AIQ.

What is the main difference between IHF and AIQ?

IHF is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while AIQ is Technology Equities. IHF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers Index, while AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IHF and 0.68% for AIQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.60), 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.