INEQ vs. VEU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

INEQ (Columbia International Equity Income ETF) and VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. INEQ is actively managed, while VEU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, INEQ returned 9.70%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for VEU. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. INEQ charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEU.

Performance

INEQ vs. VEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, INEQ achieves a 6.17% return, which is significantly lower than VEU's 16.58% return. Over the past 10 years, INEQ has underperformed VEU with an annualized return of 9.70%, while VEU has yielded a comparatively higher 10.74% annualized return.

INEQ

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 6.17%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 19.56%
• 5Y*: 12.08%
• 10Y*: 9.70%

VEU

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 3.87%
• YTD: 16.58%
• 6M: 17.12%
• 1Y: 35.21%
• 3Y*: 20.50%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

INEQ vs. VEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INEQ Columbia International Equity Income ETF	6.17%	39.85%	6.02%	20.88%	-5.95%	10.18%	-0.52%	15.83%	-18.30%	24.88%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	16.58%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%

Correlation

The correlation between INEQ and VEU is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2016	0.79

The correlation between INEQ and VEU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

INEQ vs. VEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	INEQ	VEU
Financial Services	24.4%	22.6%
Industrials	21.2%	15.0%
Healthcare	15.4%	6.7%
Energy	9.8%	4.7%
Communication Services	7.1%	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	8.0%
Basic Materials	3.9%	7.1%
Technology	2.9%	21.6%
Utilities	1.9%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.9%

Return for Risk

INEQ vs. VEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

INEQ

INEQ Risk / Return Rank: 54
INEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
INEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
INEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 53
INEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
INEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 68
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

INEQ vs. VEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). 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.

	INEQ	VEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.19	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.98	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.40	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	3.10	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.91	11.87	-2.96

INEQ vs. VEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the VEU Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INEQ and VEU, 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

INEQ vs. VEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INEQ drawdown since its inception was -41.71%, smaller than the maximum VEU drawdown of -61.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INEQ and VEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	INEQ	VEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.71%	-61.52%	+19.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-11.43%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	-13.69%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.51%	-29.14%	+4.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.71%	-34.98%	-6.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	0.00%	-4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.04%	-13.10%	+6.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.97%	-0.21%

Volatility

INEQ vs. VEU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia International Equity Income ETF (INEQ) is 3.88%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a volatility of 6.30%. This indicates that INEQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	INEQ	VEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	6.30%	-2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.02%	14.12%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.76%	16.16%	-2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.32%	16.24%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	17.23%	-0.89%

INEQ vs. VEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

INEQ has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VEU's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

INEQ vs. VEU - Dividend Comparison

INEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.29%, more than VEU's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
INEQ Columbia International Equity Income ETF	9.29%	9.76%	3.11%	3.27%	3.57%	3.43%	2.64%	3.34%	7.25%	4.63%	2.52%	0.00%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.48%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INEQ and VEU in my portfolio?

INEQ and VEU have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INEQ or VEU?

VEU has higher volatility (6.30%) compared to INEQ (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INEQ dropped -41.71% vs VEU's -61.52%.

Which ETF is better, INEQ or VEU?

On 10-year performance, VEU leads with 10.74% vs 9.70% for INEQ. On fees, VEU is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, INEQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, INEQ or VEU?

Over the 10-year period, VEU has performed better with a 10.74% return vs 9.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, INEQ or VEU?

VEU is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for INEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, INEQ or VEU?

INEQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.29%, compared with 2.48% for VEU.

What is the main difference between INEQ and VEU?

They also come from different issuers: Columbia Threadneedle and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for INEQ and 0.04% for VEU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.79), 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.