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IXG vs. IYF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXG vs. IYF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IXG (iShares Global Financials ETF) and IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from iShares - IXG tracks the S&P Global Financials Sector Index while IYF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXG returned 13.29%/yr vs 13.86%/yr for IYF. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXG charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYF.

Performance

IXG vs. IYF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXG achieves a 5.43% return, which is significantly higher than IYF's 0.50% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXG having a 13.29% annualized return and IYF not far ahead at 13.86%.

IXG

1D
0.54%
1M
4.22%
YTD
5.43%
6M
4.86%
1Y
20.55%
3Y*
24.97%
5Y*
13.37%
10Y*
13.29%

IYF

1D
0.74%
1M
4.16%
YTD
0.50%
6M
-0.59%
1Y
12.56%
3Y*
22.98%
5Y*
11.62%
10Y*
13.86%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXG vs. IYF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXG
iShares Global Financials ETF		5.43%28.54%25.69%14.97%-8.97%25.07%-2.99%24.60%-16.33%23.78%
IYF
iShares U.S. Financials ETF		0.50%18.25%31.30%15.32%-11.33%31.60%-1.00%31.86%-9.39%19.58%

Correlation

The correlation between IXG and IYF is 0.89, 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

0.89

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.90

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.92

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2001

0.86

The correlation between IXG and IYF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXG vs. IYF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXG
IYF

Financial Services

98.0%
99.1%

Technology

1.1%
0.3%

Industrials

0.2%

-

Energy

0.1%

-

Healthcare

0.1%

-

Consumer Cyclical

0.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.6%

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

IXG
98.0%
IYF
99.1%

Technology

IXG
1.1%
IYF
0.3%

Industrials

IXG
0.2%
IYF

-

Energy

IXG
0.1%
IYF

-

Healthcare

IXG
0.1%
IYF

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXG
0.0%
IYF

-

Basic Materials

IXG

-

IYF

-

Communication Services

IXG

-

IYF

-

Consumer Defensive

IXG

-

IYF

-

Real Estate

IXG

-

IYF
0.6%

Utilities

IXG

-

IYF

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Global Financials ETF

iShares U.S. Financials ETF

Often compared with IXG:
IXG vs. XLFIXG vs. IYGIXG vs. VFHIXG vs. WFIN.ASIXG vs. FXOIXG vs. KBWBIXG vs. SPY
Often compared with IYF:
IYF vs. XLFIYF vs. VFHIYF vs. IYGIYF vs. KBWBIYF vs. KBEIYF vs. FTXOIYF vs. VOO

Return for Risk

IXG vs. IYF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXG
IXG Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
IXG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXG Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXG Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
IXG Calmar Ratio Rank: 3737
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXG Martin Ratio Rank: 4141
Martin Ratio Rank
IYF
IYF Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYF Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYF Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXG vs. IYF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF). 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.

IXGIYFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.48
0.87

+0.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.17
1.25

+0.92

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.16

+0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.82

0.91

+0.91

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.43

2.45

+3.98

IXG vs. IYF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXG Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the IYF Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXG and IYF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IXG vs. IYF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXG drawdown since its inception was -78.42%, roughly equal to the maximum IYF drawdown of -79.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXG and IYF.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXGIYFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-78.42%

-79.09%

+0.67%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.33%

-13.88%

+2.55%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.54%

-16.60%

+3.06%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.20%

-25.06%

-2.14%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.47%

-42.57%

-0.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.22%

-2.57%

+2.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.71%

-17.58%

-2.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

5.14%

-1.94%

Volatility

IXG vs. IYF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) have volatilities of 4.12% and 4.13%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXGIYFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.12%

4.13%

-0.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.32%

11.19%

+0.13%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.92%

14.55%

-0.63%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.34%

19.00%

-1.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.11%

20.91%

-0.80%

IXG vs. IYF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXG has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IYF's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXG vs. IYF - Dividend Comparison

IXG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, more than IYF's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXG
iShares Global Financials ETF		2.26%2.04%2.64%2.62%3.71%1.69%2.13%2.87%3.14%2.12%2.21%2.79%
IYF
iShares U.S. Financials ETF		1.49%1.32%1.29%1.67%1.86%1.27%1.72%1.64%1.90%1.46%1.67%1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXG and IYF have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYF has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to IXG (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXG dropped -78.42% vs IYF's -79.09%.

On 10-year performance, IYF leads with 13.86% vs 13.29% for IXG. On fees, IYF is cheaper at 0.42% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYF has performed better with a 13.86% return vs 13.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYF is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXG.

IXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 1.49% for IYF.

IXG tracks S&P Global Financials Sector Index, while IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXG and 0.42% for IYF.

IXG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.87), 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.

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