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IYH vs. VFH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYH vs. VFH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) and VFH (Vanguard Financials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while VFH is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYH returned 9.52%/yr vs 13.15%/yr for VFH. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYH charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VFH.

Performance

IYH vs. VFH - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYH achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly higher than VFH's -1.58% return. Over the past 10 years, IYH has underperformed VFH with an annualized return of 9.52%, while VFH has yielded a comparatively higher 13.15% annualized return.

IYH

1D
-0.20%
1M
4.45%
YTD
-0.65%
6M
0.07%
1Y
14.13%
3Y*
6.45%
5Y*
4.89%
10Y*
9.52%

VFH

1D
1.34%
1M
4.78%
YTD
-1.58%
6M
-1.74%
1Y
7.62%
3Y*
19.69%
5Y*
9.36%
10Y*
13.15%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYH vs. VFH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VFH
Vanguard Financials ETF		-1.58%14.91%30.44%14.17%-12.31%35.22%-1.96%31.57%-13.52%19.99%

Correlation

The correlation between IYH and VFH is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.46

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

0.52

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

0.55

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

0.52

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.60

The correlation between IYH and VFH shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYH vs. VFH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYH
VFH

Healthcare

100.0%
0.1%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

0.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

96.8%

Industrials

-

0.2%

Real Estate

-

0.8%

Technology

-

2.1%

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IYH
100.0%
VFH
0.1%

Basic Materials

IYH

-

VFH

-

Communication Services

IYH

-

VFH
0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

IYH

-

VFH
0.0%

Consumer Defensive

IYH

-

VFH

-

Energy

IYH

-

VFH

-

Financial Services

IYH

-

VFH
96.8%

Industrials

IYH

-

VFH
0.2%

Real Estate

IYH

-

VFH
0.8%

Technology

IYH

-

VFH
2.1%

Utilities

IYH

-

VFH

-

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

Vanguard Financials ETF

Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. IBB
Often compared with VFH:
VFH vs. XLFVFH vs. VOOVFH vs. FNCLVFH vs. IYFVFH vs. VHTVFH vs. KBWBVFH vs. VGT

Return for Risk

IYH vs. VFH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
VFH
VFH Risk / Return Rank: 1717
Overall Rank
VFH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1818
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFH Sortino Ratio Rank: 1717
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFH Omega Ratio Rank: 1717
Omega Ratio Rank
VFH Calmar Ratio Rank: 1616
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFH Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
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. VFH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) and Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH). 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.

IYHVFHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.94
0.51

+0.43

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.52
0.78

+0.74

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.10

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.33

0.52

+0.81

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.18

1.35

+1.83

IYH vs. VFH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYH Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is higher than the VFH Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYH and VFH, 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

IYH vs. VFH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYH drawdown since its inception was -43.12%, smaller than the maximum VFH drawdown of -78.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYH and VFH.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYHVFHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.12%

-78.61%

+35.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-14.75%

+4.11%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.91%

-17.30%

-0.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.91%

-25.66%

+7.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.40%

-44.42%

+16.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.94%

-4.57%

+0.63%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.96%

-18.52%

+9.56%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.46%

5.65%

-1.19%

Volatility

IYH vs. VFH - Volatility Comparison

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

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Volatility by Period

IYHVFHDifference

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%

11.41%

-0.77%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.10%

15.06%

+0.04%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.96%

19.34%

-4.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.74%

22.55%

-5.81%

IYH vs. VFH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYH has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than VFH's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYH vs. VFH - Dividend Comparison

IYH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than VFH's 1.48% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VFH
Vanguard Financials ETF		1.48%1.55%1.75%2.08%2.31%1.87%2.21%2.17%2.30%1.53%1.63%2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYH and VFH have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYH has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to VFH (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYH dropped -43.12% vs VFH's -78.61%.

On 10-year performance, VFH leads with 13.15% vs 9.52% for IYH. On fees, VFH is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VFH has been the lower-risk option at 4.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VFH has performed better with a 13.15% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VFH is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.

VFH has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 1.25% for IYH.

IYH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VFH is Financials Equities. IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while VFH tracks MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IYH and 0.09% for VFH.

IYH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.51), 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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