IYK vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IYK (iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYK is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYK returned 9.29%/yr vs 24.06%/yr for VGT. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IYK charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

IYK vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYK achieves a 12.81% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 20.36% return. Over the past 10 years, IYK has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 9.29%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.06% annualized return.

IYK

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -0.12%
• 6M: 5.63%
• YTD: 12.81%
• 1Y: 11.76%
• 3Y*: 6.05%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 9.29%
• ALL TIME*: 8.87%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	$14.04M	$13.81M	$20.83M
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M

IYK vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	12.81%	4.78%	5.27%	-2.84%	3.57%	17.32%	32.65%	28.12%	-13.84%	16.53%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between IYK and VGT is -0.38, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.38
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.14
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.54

The correlation between IYK and VGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.38 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYK vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYK	VGT
Consumer Defensive	82.6%	-
Healthcare	13.3%	0.0%
Basic Materials	2.7%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.4%	0.1%
Industrials	0.1%	0.4%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	98.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYK vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IYK

IYK Risk / Return Rank: 33
IYK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IYK Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IYK Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IYK Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IYK Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IYK vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	IYK	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	1.31	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	1.82	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.23	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.14	1.94	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.29	5.23	-2.94

IYK vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYK Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYK and VGT, 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

IYK vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYK drawdown since its inception was -42.64%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYK and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYK	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.64%	-54.63%	+11.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.68%	-16.40%	+5.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.32%	-27.23%	+15.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.05%	-35.07%	+20.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.19%	-35.07%	+1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-9.93%	+6.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.06%	-7.95%	+2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.30%	6.07%	-0.77%

Volatility

IYK vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) is 6.13%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 8.42%. This indicates that IYK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYK	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.13%	8.42%	-2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	20.14%	-8.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.86%	24.28%	-10.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.30%	25.83%	-12.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.60%	24.89%	-9.29%

IYK vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYK has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYK vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

IYK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYK iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF	2.54%	2.75%	2.63%	2.74%	2.16%	1.49%	1.42%	2.21%	2.81%	1.74%	2.63%	2.11%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYK and VGT in my portfolio?

IYK and VGT have a correlation of -0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYK or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to IYK (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYK dropped -42.64% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, IYK or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 24.06% vs 9.29% for IYK. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IYK has been the lower-risk option at 6.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYK or VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 24.06% return vs 9.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYK or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYK or VGT?

IYK has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 0.38% for VGT.

What is the main difference between IYK and VGT?

IYK is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while VGT is Technology Equities. IYK tracks Russell 1000 Consumer Staples RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYK and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 0.88), 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.