IYG vs. IXG
IYG (iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF) and IXG (iShares Global Financials ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from iShares - IYG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services TR while IXG tracks the S&P Global Financials Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYG returned 15.05%/yr vs 13.25%/yr for IXG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IYG charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for IXG.
Performance
IYG vs. IXG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYG achieves a -0.54% return, which is significantly lower than IXG's 5.10% return. Over the past 10 years, IYG has outperformed IXG with an annualized return of 15.05%, while IXG has yielded a comparatively lower 13.25% annualized return.
IYG
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 4.46%
- YTD
- -0.54%
- 6M
- -1.92%
- 1Y
- 11.95%
- 3Y*
- 23.13%
- 5Y*
- 9.83%
- 10Y*
- 15.05%
IXG
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 3.89%
- YTD
- 5.10%
- 6M
- 4.08%
- 1Y
- 19.12%
- 3Y*
- 24.83%
- 5Y*
- 13.10%
- 10Y*
- 13.25%
IYG vs. IXG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYG iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF | -0.54% | 19.85% | 31.94% | 16.07% | -16.76% | 30.36% | 0.99% | 37.62% | -12.56% | 24.47% |
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF | 5.10% | 28.54% | 25.69% | 14.97% | -8.97% | 25.07% | -2.99% | 24.60% | -16.33% | 23.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYG and IXG is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2001 | 0.85 |
The correlation between IYG and IXG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
IYG vs. IXG - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IYG
IXG
Financial Services
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
Healthcare
-
Industrials
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
-
-
Financial Services
IYG
IXG
Basic Materials
IYG
-
IXG
-
Communication Services
IYG
-
IXG
-
Consumer Cyclical
IYG
-
IXG
Consumer Defensive
IYG
-
IXG
-
Energy
IYG
-
IXG
Healthcare
IYG
-
IXG
Industrials
IYG
-
IXG
Real Estate
IYG
-
IXG
-
Technology
IYG
-
IXG
Utilities
IYG
-
IXG
-
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
IYG vs. IXG — Risk / Return Rank
IYG
IXG
IYG vs. IXG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) and iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG). 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.
| IYG | IXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.61 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.91 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.24 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.75 | 1.70 | -0.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.92 | 5.98 | -4.06 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IYG vs. IXG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYG drawdown since its inception was -81.84%, roughly equal to the maximum IXG drawdown of -78.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYG and IXG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IYG | IXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.84% | -78.42% | -3.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.90% | -11.33% | -4.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.54% | -13.54% | -5.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.62% | -27.20% | -2.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.32% | -43.47% | -0.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.01% | -0.53% | -3.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -20.71% | -19.71% | -1.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.23% | 3.20% | +3.03% |
Volatility
IYG vs. IXG - Volatility Comparison
iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) at 4.15%. This indicates that IYG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IYG | IXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.40% | 4.15% | +0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.15% | 11.32% | +0.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.61% | 13.90% | +1.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.42% | 17.34% | +3.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.45% | 19.94% | +3.51% |
IYG vs. IXG - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYG has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than IXG's 0.46% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYG vs. IXG - Dividend Comparison
IYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than IXG's 2.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXG iShares Global Financials ETF | 2.26% | 2.04% | 2.64% | 2.62% | 3.71% | 1.69% | 2.13% | 2.87% | 3.14% | 2.12% | 2.21% | 2.79% |
IYG iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF | 1.08% | 1.00% | 1.16% | 1.77% | 2.07% | 1.25% | 1.71% | 1.59% | 1.81% | 1.24% | 1.28% | 1.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYG and IXG have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYG has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to IXG (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYG dropped -81.84% vs IXG's -78.42%.
On 10-year performance, IYG leads with 15.05% vs 13.25% for IXG. On fees, IYG is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IXG has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IYG has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 13.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYG is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXG.
IXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 1.08% for IYG.
IYG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services TR, while IXG tracks S&P Global Financials Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYG and 0.46% for IXG.
IXG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.77), 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 IYG and IXG
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