ILDR vs. VOX
ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILDR is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index. ILDR is actively managed, while VOX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILDR returned 11.32%/yr vs 5.76%/yr for VOX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILDR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VOX.
Performance
ILDR vs. VOX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ILDR achieves a 13.36% return, which is significantly higher than VOX's -6.22% return.
ILDR
- 1D
- -0.59%
- 1M
- -0.83%
- YTD
- 13.36%
- 6M
- 11.44%
- 1Y
- 30.63%
- 3Y*
- 28.06%
- 5Y*
- 11.32%
- 10Y*
- —
VOX
- 1D
- -0.92%
- 1M
- -7.36%
- YTD
- -6.22%
- 6M
- -6.67%
- 1Y
- 10.24%
- 3Y*
- 21.44%
- 5Y*
- 5.76%
- 10Y*
- 8.32%
ILDR vs. VOX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF | 13.36% | 29.22% | 29.31% | 39.34% | -34.95% | 7.57% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -6.22% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 44.81% | -38.85% | -0.42% |
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 26, 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.
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Return for Risk
ILDR vs. VOX — Risk / Return Rank
ILDR
VOX
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.
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.
| ILDR | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.12 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.74 | 0.76 | +0.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.61 | 2.66 | +2.95 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ILDR | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.75% | -9.37% | +1.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.86% | -11.90% | -2.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.48% | 3.86% | +1.62% |
Volatility
ILDR vs. VOX - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a higher volatility of 10.87% compared to Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) at 5.47%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ILDR | VOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.87% | 5.47% | +5.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.27% | 11.92% | +6.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.16% | 15.80% | +7.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.40% | 21.24% | +5.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.23% | 20.92% | +5.31% |
ILDR vs. VOX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ILDR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VOX's 0.09% 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 1.05%.
| 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 | 1.05% | 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
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.
ILDR has higher volatility (10.87%) compared to VOX (5.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs VOX's -57.18%.
On 5-year performance, ILDR leads with 11.32% vs 5.76% for VOX. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 5.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ILDR has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 5.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.
VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.
ILDR is categorized as Technology Equities, while VOX is Communications Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ILDR and 0.09% for VOX.
ILDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 0.65), 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.
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