IYC vs. MSFT

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

IYC (iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF) is Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, IYC returned 11.39%/yr vs 23.73%/yr for MSFT. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

IYC vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYC achieves a -0.76% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -16.69% return. Over the past 10 years, IYC has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 11.39%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 23.73% annualized return.

IYC

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: -3.76%
• YTD: -0.76%
• 1Y: 2.78%
• 3Y*: 12.43%
• 5Y*: 6.38%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

MSFT

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: -11.78%
• YTD: -16.69%
• 1Y: -20.04%
• 3Y*: 5.90%
• 5Y*: 8.28%
• 10Y*: 23.73%

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

IYC vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	-0.76%	7.85%	27.54%	34.03%	-31.78%	19.65%	24.58%	27.36%	1.76%	19.87%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	-16.69%	15.58%	12.93%	58.19%	-28.02%	52.48%	42.53%	57.56%	20.80%	40.73%

Correlation

The correlation between IYC and MSFT is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2000	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between IYC and MSFT has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IYC vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYC

IYC Risk / Return Rank: 12
IYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
IYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
IYC Omega Ratio Rank: 11
IYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
IYC Martin Ratio Rank: 13

MSFT

MSFT Risk / Return Rank: 17
MSFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MSFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
MSFT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MSFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
MSFT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

IYC vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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.

	IYC	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.19	-0.74	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.38	-0.91	+1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	0.89	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	-0.58	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	-1.08	+1.71

IYC vs. MSFT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYC Sharpe Ratio is 0.19, which is higher than the MSFT Sharpe Ratio of -0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYC and MSFT, 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

IYC vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYC drawdown since its inception was -53.10%, smaller than the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYC and MSFT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYC	MSFT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.10%	-69.38%	+16.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-34.50%	+22.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.62%	-34.50%	+12.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.90%	-37.15%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.90%	-37.15%	+1.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.51%	-25.54%	+21.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.93%	-21.80%	+11.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	18.60%	-14.21%

Volatility

IYC vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) is 4.73%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.80%. This indicates that IYC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYC	MSFT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	10.80%	-6.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.36%	24.46%	-13.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.68%	27.35%	-12.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	27.05%	-6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.90%	27.18%	-7.28%

Dividends

IYC vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison

IYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.50%, less than MSFT's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.50%	0.51%	0.47%	0.68%	0.68%	0.39%	0.65%	0.89%	0.90%	0.92%	1.10%	1.03%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	0.89%	0.70%	0.73%	0.74%	1.06%	0.68%	0.94%	1.20%	1.69%	1.86%	2.37%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYC and MSFT in my portfolio?

IYC and MSFT have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYC or MSFT?

MSFT has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to IYC (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYC dropped -53.10% vs MSFT's -69.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.19 vs -0.74), 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.