IYW vs. VUG
IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYW returned 24.38%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IYW charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
IYW vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYW achieves a 19.29% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 5.02% return. Over the past 10 years, IYW has outperformed VUG with an annualized return of 24.38%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively lower 17.38% annualized return.
IYW
- 1D
- 0.46%
- 1M
- -4.31%
- 6M
- 20.08%
- YTD
- 19.29%
- 1Y
- 31.45%
- 3Y*
- 28.25%
- 5Y*
- 18.55%
- 10Y*
- 24.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.16%
VUG
- 1D
- 1.10%
- 1M
- -0.35%
- 6M
- 6.39%
- YTD
- 5.02%
- 1Y
- 15.36%
- 3Y*
- 21.19%
- 5Y*
- 12.16%
- 10Y*
- 17.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.08%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $125.49M | $126.55M | $189.91M | |
| $556.11M | $661.72M | $650.91M |
IYW vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 19.29% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | 35.44% | 47.45% | 46.64% | -0.93% | 36.60% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 5.02% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYW and VUG is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.92 |
The correlation between IYW and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IYW vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
IYW
VUG
IYW vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| IYW | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.13 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.77 | 0.78 | +1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.23 | 2.47 | +2.76 |
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Drawdowns
IYW vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYW drawdown since its inception was -81.90%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYW and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYW | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.90% | -50.68% | -31.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.81% | -16.53% | -1.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.47% | -22.85% | -3.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.44% | -35.61% | -3.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.44% | -35.61% | -3.83% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.40% | -5.53% | -2.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.48% | -7.08% | -27.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.03% | 5.20% | +0.83% |
Volatility
IYW vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) has a higher volatility of 7.86% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.58%. This indicates that IYW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IYW | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.86% | 5.58% | +2.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.90% | 14.24% | +5.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.79% | 17.74% | +6.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.47% | 22.49% | +3.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.36% | 21.55% | +3.81% |
IYW vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYW has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYW vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
IYW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than VUG's 0.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.31% | 0.56% | 0.72% | 0.92% | 0.82% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.40% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, IYW and VUG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IYW has higher volatility (7.86%) compared to VUG (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYW dropped -81.90% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, IYW leads with 24.38% vs 17.38% for VUG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IYW has performed better with a 24.38% return vs 17.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYW.
VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.
IYW is categorized as Technology Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IYW and 0.03% for VUG.
IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 0.72), 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.
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