IXJ vs. VHT
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT).
IXJ and VHT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IXJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2001. VHT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. Both IXJ and VHT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
IXJ vs. VHT - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
IXJ vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | -3.96% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 12.74% | 23.23% | 2.83% | 20.44% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | -5.04% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -3.96% return, which is significantly higher than VHT's -5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, IXJ has underperformed VHT with an annualized return of 8.40%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively higher 9.72% annualized return.
IXJ
- 1D
- 1.96%
- 1M
- -8.03%
- YTD
- -3.96%
- 6M
- 6.20%
- 1Y
- 4.10%
- 3Y*
- 5.42%
- 5Y*
- 5.33%
- 10Y*
- 8.40%
VHT
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -7.50%
- YTD
- -5.04%
- 6M
- 5.91%
- 1Y
- 4.70%
- 3Y*
- 6.16%
- 5Y*
- 5.09%
- 10Y*
- 9.72%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
IXJ vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.10% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
IXJ vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank
IXJ
VHT
IXJ vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.
| IXJ | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.24 | 0.27 | -0.03 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.45 | 0.49 | -0.04 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.06 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.44 | 0.51 | -0.07 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.04 | 1.09 | -0.06 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IXJ | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 | 0.27 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 | 0.34 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | 0.58 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.56 | -0.14 |
Correlation
The correlation between IXJ and VHT is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
IXJ vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison
IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, less than VHT's 1.73% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.45% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.73% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Drawdowns
IXJ vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, roughly equal to the maximum VHT drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and VHT.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| IXJ | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.60% | -39.12% | -1.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.35% | -10.40% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -17.71% | -0.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.35% | -28.85% | +1.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.03% | -8.05% | +0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.92% | -5.98% | -0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.41% | 4.96% | -0.55% |
Volatility
IXJ vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) have volatilities of 5.06% and 5.10%, 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.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| IXJ | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.06% | 5.10% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.43% | 10.28% | +0.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.31% | 17.61% | -0.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.07% | 14.85% | -0.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.66% | 16.94% | -1.28% |