IQSM vs. VO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQSM (IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - IQSM tracks the IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net while VO tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQSM returned 13.84%/yr vs 16.69%/yr for VO. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IQSM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

IQSM vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSM achieves a 11.77% return, which is significantly higher than VO's 10.05% return.

IQSM

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 6M: 12.17%
• 1Y: 22.78%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VO

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 18.13%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

IQSM vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	11.77%	7.97%	9.15%	15.82%	2.29%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	10.05%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSM and VO is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2022	0.95

The correlation between IQSM and VO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSM vs. VO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSM	VO
Industrials	23.1%	17.9%
Technology	15.5%	18.6%
Healthcare	14.2%	7.6%
Financial Services	12.4%	12.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	8.6%
Real Estate	10.0%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.1%	4.2%
Energy	2.6%	8.5%
Communication Services	2.6%	3.1%
Utilities	0.6%	8.3%

Return for Risk

IQSM vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSM

IQSM Risk / Return Rank: 48
IQSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IQSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IQSM Omega Ratio Rank: 42
IQSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSM Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 43
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

IQSM vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	IQSM	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.48	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.14	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.26	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.23	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.43	8.50	+0.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSM vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSM and VO, 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

	IQSM	VO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	1.48	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.50	+0.24

Drawdowns

IQSM vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSM drawdown since its inception was -23.66%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSM and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSM	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.66%	-58.87%	+35.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-8.17%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.66%	-19.02%	-4.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.57%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.45%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-7.86%	+2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	2.14%	+0.28%

Volatility

IQSM vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) has a higher volatility of 3.97% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 2.99%. This indicates that IQSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSM	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	2.99%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.98%	9.21%	+1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.97%	12.34%	+2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	17.59%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	18.95%	-1.06%

IQSM vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VO'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

IQSM vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

IQSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than VO's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.18%	1.22%	1.11%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.36%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSM and VO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, IQSM and VO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IQSM or VO?

IQSM has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to VO (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSM dropped -23.66% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which ETF is better, IQSM or VO?

On 3-year performance, VO leads with 16.69% vs 13.84% for IQSM. On fees, VO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VO has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSM or VO?

Over the 3-year period, VO has performed better with a 16.69% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSM or VO?

VO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IQSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSM or VO?

VO has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.06% for IQSM.

What is the main difference between IQSM and VO?

IQSM tracks IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSM and 0.03% for VO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.48), 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.