IUSG vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 900 Growth Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSG returned 17.63%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for VWO. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IUSG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

IUSG vs. VWO - 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 Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IUSG achieves a 10.18% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSG has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 17.63%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.00% annualized return.

IUSG

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -0.99%
• YTD: 10.18%
• 6M: 11.00%
• 1Y: 29.29%
• 3Y*: 25.32%
• 5Y*: 14.55%
• 10Y*: 17.63%

VWO

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.90%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 16.61%
• 5Y*: 5.03%
• 10Y*: 9.00%

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

IUSG vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	10.18%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	10.77%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSG and VWO is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.71

The correlation between IUSG and VWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (3 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IUSG vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IUSG	VWO
Technology	50.5%	29.6%
Communication Services	15.7%	7.1%
Financial Services	8.6%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.7%
Industrials	6.5%	8.0%
Healthcare	6.4%	3.9%
Utilities	1.1%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	3.7%
Real Estate	0.8%	2.2%
Basic Materials	0.5%	8.0%
Energy	0.3%	4.6%

Return for Risk

IUSG vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 54
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 50
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. VWO - 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 Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	IUSG	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.49	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.10	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.28	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.21	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.79	7.80	+0.99

IUSG vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSG Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSG and VWO, 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

IUSG vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSG drawdown since its inception was -63.41%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSG and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUSG	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.41%	-67.68%	+4.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-11.17%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.28%	-17.37%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.21%	-32.60%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.35%	-36.39%	+4.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-2.68%	-1.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.42%	-15.80%	-5.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	3.17%	-0.01%

Volatility

IUSG vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) is 6.20%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.64%. This indicates that IUSG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IUSG	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.20%	6.64%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.25%	14.04%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	16.54%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.97%	17.48%	+3.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	19.22%	+1.24%

IUSG vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IUSG vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

IUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than VWO's 2.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.49%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.44%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUSG and VWO in my portfolio?

IUSG and VWO have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IUSG or VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to IUSG (6.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSG dropped -63.41% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which ETF is better, IUSG or VWO?

On 10-year performance, IUSG leads with 17.63% vs 9.00% for VWO. On fees, IUSG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IUSG has been the lower-risk option at 6.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IUSG or VWO?

Over the 10-year period, IUSG has performed better with a 17.63% return vs 9.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IUSG or VWO?

IUSG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VWO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IUSG or VWO?

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.49% for IUSG.

What is the main difference between IUSG and VWO?

IUSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. IUSG tracks S&P 900 Growth Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for IUSG and 0.08% for VWO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.49), 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.