IYF vs. IYE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) and IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, while IYE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYF returned 12.79%/yr vs 8.76%/yr for IYE. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.42% expense ratio.

Performance

IYF vs. IYE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYF achieves a -2.72% return, which is significantly lower than IYE's 31.95% return. Over the past 10 years, IYF has outperformed IYE with an annualized return of 12.79%, while IYE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.76% annualized return.

IYF

• 1D: 2.61%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: -2.72%
• 6M: -0.96%
• 1Y: 9.62%
• 3Y*: 21.87%
• 5Y*: 10.09%
• 10Y*: 12.79%

IYE

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -1.09%
• YTD: 31.95%
• 6M: 28.91%
• 1Y: 46.86%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 5Y*: 19.52%
• 10Y*: 8.76%

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

IYF vs. IYE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF	-2.72%	18.25%	31.30%	15.32%	-11.33%	31.60%	-1.00%	31.86%	-9.39%	19.58%
IYE iShares U.S. Energy ETF	31.95%	7.33%	6.06%	-2.21%	60.21%	53.42%	-33.49%	10.03%	-19.37%	-1.80%

Correlation

The correlation between IYF and IYE is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2000	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between IYF and IYE has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYF vs. IYE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYF	IYE
Financial Services	99.0%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Technology	0.3%	1.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	98.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYF vs. IYE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYF

IYF Risk / Return Rank: 19
IYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IYF Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IYF Martin Ratio Rank: 18

IYE

IYE Risk / Return Rank: 69
IYE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IYE Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IYE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IYE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
IYE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

IYF vs. IYE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IYF	IYE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	2.37	-1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	3.03	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.38	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	3.95	-3.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.90	11.64	-9.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYF vs. IYE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYF Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the IYE Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYF and IYE, 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

	IYF	IYE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66	2.37	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.76	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.30	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.26	-0.04

Drawdowns

IYF vs. IYE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYF drawdown since its inception was -79.09%, which is greater than IYE's maximum drawdown of -73.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYF and IYE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYF	IYE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.09%	-73.74%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-11.92%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.60%	-20.37%	+3.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-25.61%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.57%	-68.59%	+26.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.69%	-5.74%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.61%	-19.36%	+1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.07%	4.04%	+1.03%

Volatility

IYF vs. IYE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) is 4.29%, while iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) has a volatility of 7.92%. This indicates that IYF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYF	IYE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	7.92%	-3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.11%	16.06%	-4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	19.96%	-5.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.04%	25.71%	-6.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	29.51%	-8.61%

IYF vs. IYE - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IYF and IYE have an expense ratio of 0.42%.

Dividends

IYF vs. IYE - Dividend Comparison

IYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than IYE's 2.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYE iShares U.S. Energy ETF	2.13%	2.85%	2.75%	2.99%	3.37%	2.98%	4.75%	6.60%	3.16%	2.66%	2.11%	3.39%
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF	1.53%	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

Can I hold both IYF and IYE in my portfolio?

IYF and IYE have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYF or IYE?

IYE has higher volatility (7.92%) compared to IYF (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYF dropped -79.09% vs IYE's -73.74%.

Which ETF is better, IYF or IYE?

On 10-year performance, IYF leads with 12.79% vs 8.76% for IYE. Both ETFs have the same 0.42% expense ratio. On volatility, IYF has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYF or IYE?

Over the 10-year period, IYF has performed better with a 12.79% return vs 8.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYF or IYE?

IYF and IYE have the same expense ratio: 0.42% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYF or IYE?

IYE has the higher dividend yield at 2.13%, compared with 1.53% for IYF.

What is the main difference between IYF and IYE?

IYF is categorized as Financials Equities, while IYE is Energy Equities. IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, while IYE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.66), 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.