ILF vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILF (iShares Latin American 40 ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILF is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the S&P Latin America 40 Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILF returned 8.33%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for VYMI. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILF charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

ILF vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ILF having a 11.66% return and VYMI slightly lower at 11.31%. Over the past 10 years, ILF has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 8.33%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.49% annualized return.

ILF

• 1D: -2.72%
• 1M: -4.92%
• YTD: 11.66%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 39.82%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

VYMI

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 14.77%
• 1Y: 30.23%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 11.95%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

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

ILF vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILF iShares Latin American 40 ETF	11.66%	52.65%	-23.11%	33.14%	9.81%	-13.59%	-11.71%	13.77%	-6.85%	26.33%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	11.31%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between ILF and VYMI is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.71

The correlation between ILF and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILF vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILF	VYMI
Financial Services	34.1%	41.9%
Basic Materials	21.9%	6.8%
Energy	13.4%	9.5%
Industrials	9.2%	6.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.8%	7.0%
Utilities	4.9%	5.6%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.2%	6.5%
Healthcare	1.2%	6.6%
Real Estate	0.7%	1.3%
Technology	-	4.3%

Return for Risk

ILF vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILF

ILF Risk / Return Rank: 54
ILF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ILF Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ILF Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ILF Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ILF Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 66
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

ILF vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	ILF	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.35	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.20	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	2.99	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.70	11.80	-2.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILF vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILF Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILF and VYMI, 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

	ILF	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.35	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.81	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.62	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.65	-0.35

Drawdowns

ILF vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILF drawdown since its inception was -67.48%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILF and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILF	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.48%	-40.00%	-27.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.67%	-10.14%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.97%	-12.84%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-24.05%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.79%	-40.00%	-17.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.76%	-1.40%	-9.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.94%	-6.31%	-17.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	2.57%	+1.55%

Volatility

ILF vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF) has a higher volatility of 6.49% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 4.04%. This indicates that ILF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILF	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.49%	4.04%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.52%	10.73%	+7.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.76%	12.94%	+8.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.18%	14.84%	+8.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.44%	16.87%	+11.57%

ILF vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILF has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILF vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

ILF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, more than VYMI's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILF iShares Latin American 40 ETF	3.93%	4.39%	7.44%	4.61%	12.72%	8.47%	1.88%	3.09%	3.12%	1.80%	1.59%	3.25%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.44%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILF and VYMI in my portfolio?

ILF and VYMI have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILF or VYMI?

ILF has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to VYMI (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILF dropped -67.48% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, ILF or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 10.49% vs 8.33% for ILF. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 4.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILF or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 10.49% return vs 8.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILF or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for ILF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILF or VYMI?

ILF has the higher dividend yield at 3.93%, compared with 3.44% for VYMI.

What is the main difference between ILF and VYMI?

ILF is categorized as Latin America Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. ILF tracks S&P Latin America 40 Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for ILF and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.84), 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.