ILDR vs. VOX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. ILDR is actively managed, while VOX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILDR returned 14.40%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for VOX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILDR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VOX.

Performance

ILDR vs. VOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILDR achieves a 21.58% return, which is significantly higher than VOX's -1.38% return.

ILDR

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 13.98%
• YTD: 21.58%
• 6M: 21.69%
• 1Y: 47.41%
• 3Y*: 31.44%
• 5Y*: 14.40%
• 10Y*: —

VOX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: -2.77%
• YTD: -1.38%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 20.55%
• 3Y*: 24.02%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

ILDR vs. VOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	21.58%	29.22%	29.31%	39.34%	-34.95%	7.29%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	-1.38%	26.27%	33.12%	44.81%	-38.85%	-1.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ILDR and VOX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.78

The correlation between ILDR and VOX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ILDR vs. VOX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILDR	VOX
Technology	45.2%	1.2%
Healthcare	14.7%	0.0%
Industrials	12.8%	0.0%
Communication Services	10.2%	98.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	0.2%
Financial Services	3.1%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

ILDR vs. VOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 60
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VOX

VOX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VOX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VOX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

ILDR vs. VOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). 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.

	ILDR	VOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.34	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.00	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.24	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	1.52	+1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.00	5.83	+3.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILDR vs. VOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILDR Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the VOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILDR and VOX, 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

	ILDR	VOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	1.34	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.36	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.43	+0.13

Drawdowns

ILDR vs. VOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILDR drawdown since its inception was -44.61%, smaller than the maximum VOX drawdown of -57.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILDR and VOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILDR	VOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.61%	-57.18%	+12.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-13.56%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-21.15%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.61%	-46.76%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-4.70%	+3.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.98%	-11.91%	-3.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	3.54%	+1.74%

Volatility

ILDR vs. VOX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a higher volatility of 6.23% compared to Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) at 4.24%. This indicates that ILDR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILDR	VOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	4.24%	+1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.21%	11.16%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.11%	15.45%	+5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.07%	21.15%	+4.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	20.89%	+5.13%

ILDR vs. VOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILDR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VOX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILDR vs. VOX - Dividend Comparison

ILDR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	1.00%	0.95%	1.05%	1.03%	0.88%	0.93%	0.73%	0.90%	2.77%	3.83%	2.67%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILDR and VOX in my portfolio?

ILDR and VOX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILDR or VOX?

ILDR has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to VOX (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs VOX's -57.18%.

Which ETF is better, ILDR or VOX?

On 5-year performance, ILDR leads with 14.40% vs 7.58% for VOX. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 4.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILDR or VOX?

Over the 5-year period, ILDR has performed better with a 14.40% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILDR or VOX?

VOX is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILDR or VOX?

VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.

What is the main difference between ILDR and VOX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ILDR and 0.10% for VOX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.34), 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.