IYF vs. IYZ
IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) and IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, while IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYF returned 13.53%/yr vs 5.94%/yr for IYZ. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.42% expense ratio.
Performance
IYF vs. IYZ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYF achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly lower than IYZ's 29.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IYF has outperformed IYZ with an annualized return of 13.53%, while IYZ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.94% annualized return.
IYF
- 1D
- 1.38%
- 1M
- 4.53%
- YTD
- -0.19%
- 6M
- -0.21%
- 1Y
- 13.73%
- 3Y*
- 21.71%
- 5Y*
- 10.87%
- 10Y*
- 13.53%
IYZ
- 1D
- 1.27%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- 29.57%
- 6M
- 32.60%
- 1Y
- 58.27%
- 3Y*
- 28.37%
- 5Y*
- 7.57%
- 10Y*
- 5.94%
IYF vs. IYZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF | -0.19% | 18.25% | 31.30% | 15.32% | -11.33% | 31.60% | -1.00% | 31.86% | -9.39% | 19.58% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 29.57% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYF and IYZ is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000 | 0.63 |
The correlation between IYF and IYZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IYF vs. IYZ — Risk / Return Rank
IYF
IYZ
IYF vs. IYZ - 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. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ). 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.
| IYF | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.52 | -0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.88 | 6.54 | -5.65 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.38 | 25.99 | -23.61 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IYF vs. IYZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYF drawdown since its inception was -79.09%, roughly equal to the maximum IYZ drawdown of -77.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYF and IYZ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IYF | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.09% | -77.11% | -1.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.88% | -8.62% | -5.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.60% | -13.85% | -2.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.06% | -39.74% | +14.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.57% | -39.74% | -2.83% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.25% | -4.77% | +1.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.59% | -40.10% | +22.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.13% | 2.17% | +2.96% |
Volatility
IYF vs. IYZ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) is 4.27%, while iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) has a volatility of 8.76%. This indicates that IYF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IYF | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 8.76% | -4.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.12% | 15.61% | -4.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.58% | 18.65% | -4.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.04% | 18.88% | +0.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.90% | 19.30% | +1.60% |
IYF vs. IYZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both IYF and IYZ have an expense ratio of 0.42%.
Dividends
IYF vs. IYZ - Dividend Comparison
IYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than IYZ's 1.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF | 1.49% | 1.32% | 1.29% | 1.67% | 1.86% | 1.27% | 1.72% | 1.64% | 1.90% | 1.46% | 1.67% | 1.66% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.53% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYF and IYZ have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYZ has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to IYF (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYF dropped -79.09% vs IYZ's -77.11%.
On 10-year performance, IYF leads with 13.53% vs 5.94% for IYZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.42% expense ratio. On volatility, IYF has been the lower-risk option at 4.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IYF has performed better with a 13.53% return vs 5.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYF and IYZ have the same expense ratio: 0.42% per year.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 1.49% for IYF.
IYF is categorized as Financials Equities, while IYZ is Communications Equities. IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index, while IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 0.84), 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.
Find the right allocation for IYF and IYZ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer