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IYG vs. IYF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYG vs. IYF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IYG (iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF) and IYF (iShares U.S. Financials ETF) are both Financials Equities funds from iShares - IYG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services TR while IYF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYG returned 15.04%/yr vs 13.86%/yr for IYF. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.42% expense ratio.

Performance

IYG vs. IYF - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYG achieves a -0.62% return, which is significantly lower than IYF's 0.50% return. Over the past 10 years, IYG has outperformed IYF with an annualized return of 15.04%, while IYF has yielded a comparatively lower 13.86% annualized return.

IYG

1D
0.54%
1M
4.38%
YTD
-0.62%
6M
-1.80%
1Y
13.04%
3Y*
23.09%
5Y*
10.06%
10Y*
15.04%

IYF

1D
0.74%
1M
4.16%
YTD
0.50%
6M
-0.59%
1Y
12.56%
3Y*
22.98%
5Y*
11.62%
10Y*
13.86%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYG vs. IYF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYG
iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF		-0.62%19.85%31.94%16.07%-16.76%30.36%0.99%37.62%-12.56%24.47%
IYF
iShares U.S. Financials ETF		0.50%18.25%31.30%15.32%-11.33%31.60%-1.00%31.86%-9.39%19.58%

Correlation

The correlation between IYG and IYF is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2000

0.96

The correlation between IYG and IYF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYG vs. IYF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYG
IYF

Financial Services

100.0%
99.1%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.6%

Technology

-

0.3%

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

IYG
100.0%
IYF
99.1%

Basic Materials

IYG

-

IYF

-

Communication Services

IYG

-

IYF

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYG

-

IYF

-

Consumer Defensive

IYG

-

IYF

-

Energy

IYG

-

IYF

-

Healthcare

IYG

-

IYF

-

Industrials

IYG

-

IYF

-

Real Estate

IYG

-

IYF
0.6%

Technology

IYG

-

IYF
0.3%

Utilities

IYG

-

IYF

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF

iShares U.S. Financials ETF

Often compared with IYG:
IYG vs. XLFIYG vs. IXGIYG vs. VFHIYG vs. FTXOIYG vs. GABFIYG vs. IYKIYG vs. FPE
Often compared with IYF:
IYF vs. XLFIYF vs. VFHIYF vs. KBWBIYF vs. KBEIYF vs. IXGIYF vs. FTXOIYF vs. VOO

Return for Risk

IYG vs. IYF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYG
IYG Risk / Return Rank: 2121
Overall Rank
IYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYG Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
IYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYG Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank
IYF
IYF Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYF Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYF Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IYG vs. IYF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

IYGIYFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.84
0.87

-0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.21
1.25

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.16

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.82

0.91

-0.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.10

2.45

-0.35

IYG vs. IYF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYG Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the IYF Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYG and IYF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IYG vs. IYF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYG drawdown since its inception was -81.84%, roughly equal to the maximum IYF drawdown of -79.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYG and IYF.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYGIYFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-81.84%

-79.09%

-2.75%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.90%

-13.88%

-2.02%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.54%

-16.60%

-1.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.62%

-25.06%

-4.56%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.32%

-42.57%

-1.75%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.08%

-2.57%

-1.51%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-20.72%

-17.58%

-3.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.22%

5.14%

+1.08%

Volatility

IYG vs. IYF - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) at 4.13%. This indicates that IYG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYGIYFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.40%

4.13%

+0.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.15%

11.19%

+0.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.64%

14.55%

+1.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.42%

19.00%

+1.42%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.54%

20.91%

+2.63%

IYG vs. IYF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IYG vs. IYF - Dividend Comparison

IYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than IYF's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
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

With a correlation of 0.97, IYG and IYF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

IYG has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to IYF (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYG dropped -81.84% vs IYF's -79.09%.

On 10-year performance, IYG leads with 15.04% vs 13.86% for IYF. Both ETFs have the same 0.42% expense ratio. On volatility, IYF has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. 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 15.04% return vs 13.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IYF has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.08% for IYG.

IYG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services TR, while IYF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index.

IYF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 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.

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