IYC vs. VDC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IYC (iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYC is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYC returned 11.83%/yr vs 7.74%/yr for VDC. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

IYC vs. VDC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYC achieves a -3.16% return, which is significantly lower than VDC's 6.86% return. Over the past 10 years, IYC has outperformed VDC with an annualized return of 11.83%, while VDC has yielded a comparatively lower 7.74% annualized return.

IYC

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: -2.38%
• YTD: -3.16%
• 6M: -4.48%
• 1Y: 4.43%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 5.92%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

VDC

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 6.86%
• 6M: 6.42%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: 7.47%
• 5Y*: 6.96%
• 10Y*: 7.74%

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

IYC vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	-3.16%	7.85%	27.54%	34.03%	-31.78%	19.65%	24.58%	27.36%	1.76%	19.87%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	6.86%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%

Correlation

The correlation between IYC and VDC is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between IYC and VDC has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYC vs. VDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYC	VDC
Consumer Cyclical	67.8%	1.7%
Communication Services	13.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	11.2%	97.3%
Technology	3.8%	-
Industrials	3.6%	0.3%
Energy	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYC vs. VDC — 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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 14
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	0.40	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	0.67	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.08	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.37	0.55	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.07	1.09	-0.02

IYC vs. VDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYC Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is comparable to the VDC Sharpe Ratio of 0.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYC and VDC, 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. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYC drawdown since its inception was -53.10%, which is greater than VDC's maximum drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYC and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYC	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.10%	-34.24%	-18.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-9.28%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.62%	-11.78%	-9.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.90%	-16.55%	-19.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.90%	-25.31%	-10.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.81%	-7.56%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.94%	-3.73%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	4.65%	-0.50%

Volatility

IYC vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) have volatilities of 4.94% and 4.82%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	IYC	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.94%	4.82%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	10.20%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.68%	12.69%	+1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.80%	13.18%	+7.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.94%	14.68%	+5.26%

IYC vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYC vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

IYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%, less than VDC's 2.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.51%	0.51%	0.47%	0.68%	0.68%	0.39%	0.65%	0.89%	0.90%	0.92%	1.10%	1.03%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.15%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYC and VDC in my portfolio?

IYC and VDC have a correlation of 0.27, 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 VDC?

IYC has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to VDC (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYC dropped -53.10% vs VDC's -34.24%.

Which ETF is better, IYC or VDC?

On 10-year performance, IYC leads with 11.83% vs 7.74% for VDC. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYC or VDC?

Over the 10-year period, IYC has performed better with a 11.83% return vs 7.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYC or VDC?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYC or VDC?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.15%, compared with 0.51% for IYC.

What is the main difference between IYC and VDC?

IYC is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. IYC tracks Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYC and 0.09% for VDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.40 vs 0.30), 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.