IXG vs. VFH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IXG (iShares Global Financials ETF) and VFH (Vanguard Financials ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - IXG tracks the S&P Global Financials Sector Index while VFH tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXG returned 11.95%/yr vs 12.35%/yr for VFH. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXG charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFH.

Performance

IXG vs. VFH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXG achieves a 0.86% return, which is significantly higher than VFH's -5.08% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXG having a 11.95% annualized return and VFH not far ahead at 12.35%.

IXG

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.86%
• 6M: 5.54%
• 1Y: 14.04%
• 3Y*: 23.07%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

VFH

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.06%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -1.24%
• 1Y: 4.26%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 12.35%

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

IXG vs. VFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF	0.86%	28.54%	25.69%	14.97%	-8.97%	25.07%	-2.99%	24.60%	-16.33%	23.78%
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF	-5.08%	14.91%	30.44%	14.17%	-12.31%	35.22%	-1.96%	31.57%	-13.52%	19.99%

Correlation

The correlation between IXG and VFH is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.89

The correlation between IXG and VFH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXG vs. VFH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXG	VFH
Financial Services	97.8%	96.8%
Technology	1.1%	2.1%
Industrials	0.2%	0.2%
Energy	0.1%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IXG vs. VFH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXG

IXG Risk / Return Rank: 28
IXG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IXG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IXG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
IXG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
IXG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VFH

VFH Risk / Return Rank: 12
VFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
VFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
VFH Omega Ratio Rank: 12
VFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
VFH 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.

IXG vs. VFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IXG	VFH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	0.29	+0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	0.49	+1.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.06	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	0.30	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.49	0.79	+3.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IXG vs. VFH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXG Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is higher than the VFH Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXG and VFH, 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

	IXG	VFH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	0.29	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.43	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.55	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.24	0.00

Drawdowns

IXG vs. VFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXG drawdown since its inception was -78.42%, roughly equal to the maximum VFH drawdown of -78.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXG and VFH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXG	VFH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.42%	-78.61%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-14.75%	+3.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.54%	-17.30%	+3.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.20%	-25.66%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.47%	-44.42%	+0.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-7.96%	+6.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.76%	-18.54%	-1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	5.52%	-2.32%

Volatility

IXG vs. VFH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) has a higher volatility of 3.76% compared to Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) at 3.12%. This indicates that IXG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXG	VFH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	3.12%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	11.03%	-0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.63%	14.72%	-1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	19.30%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.12%	22.54%	-2.42%

IXG vs. VFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXG has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VFH's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXG vs. VFH - Dividend Comparison

IXG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, more than VFH's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF	2.03%	2.04%	2.64%	2.62%	3.71%	1.69%	2.13%	2.87%	3.14%	2.12%	2.21%	2.79%
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF	1.54%	1.55%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	1.87%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.53%	1.63%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IXG and VFH in my portfolio?

IXG and VFH have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IXG or VFH?

IXG has higher volatility (3.76%) compared to VFH (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXG dropped -78.42% vs VFH's -78.61%.

Which ETF is better, IXG or VFH?

On 10-year performance, VFH leads with 12.35% vs 11.95% for IXG. On fees, VFH is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VFH has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXG or VFH?

Over the 10-year period, VFH has performed better with a 12.35% return vs 11.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXG or VFH?

VFH is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXG or VFH?

IXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.03%, compared with 1.54% for VFH.

What is the main difference between IXG and VFH?

IXG tracks S&P Global Financials Sector Index, while VFH tracks MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXG and 0.10% for VFH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.29), 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.