IUSG vs. VAFAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) and VAFAX (Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IUSG returned 17.82%/yr vs 15.86%/yr for VAFAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IUSG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for VAFAX.

Performance

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IUSG achieves a 14.00% return, which is significantly higher than VAFAX's 8.97% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSG has outperformed VAFAX with an annualized return of 17.82%, while VAFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.86% annualized return.

IUSG

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 6.40%
• YTD: 14.00%
• 6M: 13.31%
• 1Y: 33.47%
• 3Y*: 27.62%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: 17.82%

VAFAX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 8.97%
• 6M: 7.79%
• 1Y: 21.60%
• 3Y*: 23.04%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: 15.86%

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

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	14.00%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	8.97%	11.86%	34.78%	40.91%	-31.20%	11.13%	42.15%	36.55%	-3.99%	27.11%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSG and VAFAX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2005	0.93

The correlation between IUSG and VAFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IUSG vs. VAFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 61
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VAFAX

VAFAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
VAFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VAFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VAFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VAFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VAFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). 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.

	IUSG	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.17	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	1.64	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.21	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	1.17	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	3.52	+7.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSG Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the VAFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSG and VAFAX, 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

	IUSG	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.17	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.46	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.71	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.57	-0.19

Drawdowns

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSG drawdown since its inception was -63.41%, which is greater than VAFAX's maximum drawdown of -48.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSG and VAFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUSG	VAFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.41%	-48.48%	-14.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-19.27%	+6.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.28%	-27.24%	+4.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.21%	-38.86%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.35%	-38.86%	+6.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-0.60%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.44%	-8.13%	-13.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	6.35%	-3.29%

Volatility

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) is 4.22%, while Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that IUSG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IUSG	VAFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	5.02%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	14.64%	-2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	19.21%	-3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	23.05%	-2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.40%	22.31%	-1.91%

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VAFAX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IUSG vs. VAFAX - Dividend Comparison

IUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, less than VAFAX's 12.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.47%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	12.93%	14.09%	3.74%	0.00%	8.32%	26.50%	8.78%	6.85%	10.42%	5.37%	4.08%	4.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUSG and VAFAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IUSG and VAFAX 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, IUSG or VAFAX?

VAFAX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to IUSG (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSG dropped -63.41% vs VAFAX's -48.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.17), 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.