IQSI vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IQSI (IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSI returned 7.79%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for VOO. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQSI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

IQSI vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSI achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.34% return.

IQSI

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 19.13%
• 3Y*: 15.69%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 11.34%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

IQSI vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	9.93%	26.95%	4.84%	16.21%	-14.76%	12.70%	10.36%	0.27%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	11.34%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	1.25%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSI and VOO is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.76

The correlation between IQSI and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSI vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSI	VOO
Financial Services	22.2%	11.6%
Industrials	16.8%	8.3%
Technology	15.9%	35.7%
Healthcare	13.2%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	4.9%
Basic Materials	5.6%	1.8%
Communication Services	4.1%	11.3%
Utilities	4.0%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.9%
Energy	0.9%	3.5%

Return for Risk

IQSI vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSI

IQSI Risk / Return Rank: 36
IQSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
IQSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IQSI Omega Ratio Rank: 35
IQSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IQSI Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 74
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

IQSI vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	IQSI	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.44	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	3.31	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.44	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	3.23	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.87	15.03	-9.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSI vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSI and VOO, 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

	IQSI	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.44	-1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.84	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.89	-0.38

Drawdowns

IQSI vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSI drawdown since its inception was -31.90%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSI and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSI	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.90%	-33.99%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-8.90%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.02%	-18.69%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.86%	-24.52%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.32%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.50%	-3.69%	-2.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	1.91%	+1.36%

Volatility

IQSI vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) has a higher volatility of 4.75% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.78%. This indicates that IQSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSI	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.75%	2.78%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	8.90%	+3.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.20%	11.80%	+3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	16.81%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.00%	18.00%	+1.00%

IQSI vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IQSI vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

IQSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, more than VOO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	2.49%	2.75%	2.79%	2.98%	2.89%	2.75%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSI and VOO in my portfolio?

IQSI and VOO have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSI or VOO?

IQSI has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to VOO (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSI dropped -31.90% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, IQSI or VOO?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.98% vs 7.79% for IQSI. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSI or VOO?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 7.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSI or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IQSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSI or VOO?

IQSI has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 1.02% for VOO.

What is the main difference between IQSI and VOO?

IQSI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. IQSI tracks IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSI and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.27), 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.