IYH vs. IYC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) and IYC (iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while IYC is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYH returned 9.52%/yr vs 11.83%/yr for IYC. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYH charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYC.

Performance

IYH vs. IYC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYH achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly higher than IYC's -1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, IYH has underperformed IYC with an annualized return of 9.52%, while IYC has yielded a comparatively higher 11.83% annualized return.

IYH

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 4.56%
• YTD: -0.65%
• 6M: 0.07%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 6.45%
• 5Y*: 4.89%
• 10Y*: 9.52%

IYC

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: -1.40%
• 6M: -2.54%
• 1Y: 6.51%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 6.41%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

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

IYH vs. IYC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF	-0.65%	13.16%	2.99%	2.14%	-4.46%	23.41%	15.56%	20.80%	5.80%	22.27%
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	-1.40%	7.85%	27.54%	34.03%	-31.78%	19.65%	24.58%	27.36%	1.76%	19.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IYH and IYC is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2000	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between IYH and IYC has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYH vs. IYC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYH	IYC
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	67.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.4%
Energy	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	3.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	3.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYH vs. IYC — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYH

IYH Risk / Return Rank: 29
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 27

IYC

IYC Risk / Return Rank: 15
IYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
IYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
IYC Omega Ratio Rank: 14
IYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
IYC Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

IYH vs. IYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) and iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC). 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.

	IYH	IYC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.36	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	0.62	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.07	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	0.44	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.18	1.28	+1.90

IYH vs. IYC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYH Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is higher than the IYC Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYH and IYC, 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

IYH vs. IYC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYH drawdown since its inception was -43.12%, smaller than the maximum IYC drawdown of -53.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYH and IYC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYH	IYC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.12%	-53.10%	+9.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.64%	-11.97%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.91%	-21.62%	+3.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.91%	-35.90%	+17.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	-35.90%	+7.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.94%	-5.12%	+1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.96%	-9.95%	+0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	4.08%	+0.38%

Volatility

IYH vs. IYC - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) has a higher volatility of 4.94% compared to iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) at 4.33%. This indicates that IYH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYH	IYC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.94%	4.33%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.64%	10.74%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.10%	14.44%	+0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.96%	20.74%	-5.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	19.90%	-3.16%

IYH vs. IYC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYH has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than IYC's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYH vs. IYC - Dividend Comparison

IYH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than IYC's 0.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.50%	0.51%	0.47%	0.68%	0.68%	0.39%	0.65%	0.89%	0.90%	0.92%	1.10%	1.03%
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF	1.25%	1.19%	1.25%	1.18%	1.10%	0.94%	1.16%	1.14%	1.95%	1.10%	1.29%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYH and IYC in my portfolio?

IYH and IYC have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYH or IYC?

IYH has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to IYC (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYH dropped -43.12% vs IYC's -53.10%.

Which ETF is better, IYH or IYC?

On 10-year performance, IYC leads with 11.83% vs 9.52% for IYH. On fees, IYC is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYC has been the lower-risk option at 4.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYH or IYC?

Over the 10-year period, IYC has performed better with a 11.83% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYH or IYC?

IYC is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.

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

IYH has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.50% for IYC.

What is the main difference between IYH and IYC?

IYH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IYC is Consumer Discretionary Equities. IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while IYC tracks Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IYH and 0.38% for IYC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.36), 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.