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IYH vs. MEDI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYH vs. MEDI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) and MEDI (Harbor Health Care ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. IYH is passively managed, while MEDI is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IYH returned 6.36%/yr vs 13.36%/yr for MEDI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYH charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for MEDI.

Performance

IYH vs. MEDI - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYH achieves a -1.42% return, which is significantly lower than MEDI's -1.24% return.

IYH

1D
2.89%
1M
4.56%
YTD
-1.42%
6M
-1.04%
1Y
16.06%
3Y*
6.36%
5Y*
5.19%
10Y*
9.20%

MEDI

1D
2.89%
1M
1.48%
YTD
-1.24%
6M
-2.27%
1Y
20.75%
3Y*
13.36%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYH vs. MEDI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		-1.42%13.16%2.99%2.14%2.78%
MEDI
Harbor Health Care ETF		-1.24%27.11%0.58%24.87%2.60%

Correlation

The correlation between IYH and MEDI is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

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

0.79

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

0.73

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2022

0.75

The correlation between IYH and MEDI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYH vs. MEDI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYH
MEDI

Healthcare

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IYH
100.0%
MEDI
100.0%

Basic Materials

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Communication Services

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Consumer Defensive

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Energy

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Financial Services

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Industrials

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Real Estate

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Technology

IYH

-

MEDI

-

Utilities

IYH

-

MEDI

-

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. Healthcare ETF

Harbor Health Care ETF

Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. IBB
Often compared with MEDI:
MEDI vs. MEDXMEDI vs. HDIVXMEDI vs. FTXHMEDI vs. WHCS.ASMEDI vs. RSPHMEDI vs. IHIMEDI vs. FDL

Return for Risk

IYH vs. MEDI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 3030
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3333
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
MEDI
MEDI Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
MEDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MEDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
MEDI Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
MEDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 2929
Calmar Ratio Rank
MEDI Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
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.

IYH vs. MEDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) and Harbor Health Care ETF (MEDI). 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.

IYHMEDIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.07
1.04

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.71
1.62

+0.09

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.18

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.52

1.36

+0.16

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.64

4.07

-0.42

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYH vs. MEDI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYH Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the MEDI Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYH and MEDI, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IYHMEDIDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.07

1.04

+0.03

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.35

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.55

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

0.78

-0.35

Drawdowns

IYH vs. MEDI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYH drawdown since its inception was -43.12%, which is greater than MEDI's maximum drawdown of -19.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYH and MEDI.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYHMEDIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.12%

-19.24%

-23.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-15.34%

+4.70%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.91%

-19.24%

+1.33%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.91%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.40%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.68%

-5.35%

+0.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.96%

-4.28%

-4.68%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.42%

5.11%

-0.69%

Volatility

IYH vs. MEDI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) is 5.06%, while Harbor Health Care ETF (MEDI) has a volatility of 6.67%. This indicates that IYH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MEDI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IYHMEDIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.06%

6.67%

-1.61%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.70%

15.60%

-4.90%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.01%

20.01%

-5.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.97%

18.69%

-3.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.74%

18.69%

-1.95%

IYH vs. MEDI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYH has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than MEDI's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYH vs. MEDI - Dividend Comparison

IYH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, more than MEDI's 0.28% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		1.26%1.19%1.25%1.18%1.10%0.94%1.16%1.14%1.95%1.10%1.29%2.02%
MEDI
Harbor Health Care ETF		0.28%0.28%0.54%1.86%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYH and MEDI have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MEDI has higher volatility (6.67%) compared to IYH (5.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYH dropped -43.12% vs MEDI's -19.24%.

On 3-year performance, MEDI leads with 13.36% vs 6.36% for IYH. On fees, IYH is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, IYH has been the lower-risk option at 5.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, MEDI has performed better with a 13.36% return vs 6.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYH is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for MEDI.

IYH has the higher dividend yield at 1.26%, compared with 0.28% for MEDI.

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Harbor. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IYH and 0.80% for MEDI.

IYH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 1.04), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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