IYM vs. IYC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IYM (iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF) and IYC (iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYM is a Materials fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials 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, IYM returned 11.23%/yr vs 11.83%/yr for IYC. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYM charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYC.

Performance

IYM vs. IYC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) 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, IYM achieves a 22.39% return, which is significantly higher than IYC's -1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, IYM has underperformed IYC with an annualized return of 11.23%, while IYC has yielded a comparatively higher 11.83% annualized return.

IYM

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 22.39%
• 6M: 23.93%
• 1Y: 37.90%
• 3Y*: 14.64%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

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)

IYM vs. IYC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYM iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF	22.39%	20.41%	-4.54%	12.83%	-9.15%	25.62%	17.87%	19.22%	-16.63%	24.83%
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 IYM and IYC is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2000	0.66

The correlation between IYM and IYC shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.66 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYM vs. IYC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYM	IYC
Basic Materials	84.5%	-
Industrials	11.9%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	67.4%
Communication Services	-	13.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.4%
Energy	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	3.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYM vs. IYC — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYM

IYM Risk / Return Rank: 63
IYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IYM Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IYM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

IYM vs. IYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) 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.

	IYM	IYC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	0.36	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	0.62	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.07	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	0.44	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.29	1.28	+9.01

IYM vs. IYC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYM Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the IYC Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYM 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

IYM vs. IYC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYM drawdown since its inception was -67.78%, which is greater than IYC's maximum drawdown of -53.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYM and IYC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYM	IYC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.78%	-53.10%	-14.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.61%	-11.97%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.62%	-21.62%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.94%	-35.90%	+5.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.76%	-35.90%	-6.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-5.12%	+4.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.45%	-9.95%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	4.08%	-0.47%

Volatility

IYM vs. IYC - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) has a higher volatility of 8.10% compared to iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) at 4.33%. This indicates that IYM'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

	IYM	IYC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.10%	4.33%	+3.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.79%	10.74%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	14.44%	+5.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.53%	20.74%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.77%	19.90%	+1.87%

IYM vs. IYC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYM has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than IYC's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYM vs. IYC - Dividend Comparison

IYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, 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%
IYM iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF	1.23%	1.51%	1.65%	1.77%	2.14%	1.48%	1.39%	2.08%	1.68%	1.43%	1.47%	2.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYM and IYC in my portfolio?

IYM and IYC have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYM or IYC?

IYM has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to IYC (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYM dropped -67.78% vs IYC's -53.10%.

Which ETF is better, IYM or IYC?

On 10-year performance, IYC leads with 11.83% vs 11.23% for IYM. 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, IYM or IYC?

Over the 10-year period, IYC has performed better with a 11.83% return vs 11.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYM or IYC?

IYC is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYM.

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

IYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.50% for IYC.

What is the main difference between IYM and IYC?

IYM is categorized as Materials, while IYC is Consumer Discretionary Equities. IYM tracks Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index, while IYC tracks Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYM and 0.38% for IYC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 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.