LFEQ vs. ILCB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - LFEQ tracks the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD while ILCB tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LFEQ returned 9.91%/yr vs 13.45%/yr for ILCB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ILCB.

Performance

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with LFEQ having a 10.63% return and ILCB slightly higher at 11.12%.

LFEQ

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 10.63%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 27.35%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: —

ILCB

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 11.10%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

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

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	10.63%	10.49%	24.30%	19.66%	-22.05%	27.97%	17.56%	24.07%	-5.55%	5.27%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	11.12%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	24.07%	19.40%	32.68%	-8.51%	4.65%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and ILCB is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2017	0.91

The correlation between LFEQ and ILCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	ILCB
Technology	33.6%	35.5%
Financial Services	12.2%	11.7%
Communication Services	10.5%	11.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.6%
Industrials	8.5%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	4.8%
Energy	4.0%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. ILCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 69
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). 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.

	LFEQ	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.35	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.20	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.42	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.10	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	14.24	-0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the ILCB Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ and ILCB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LFEQ	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.35	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.79	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.64	+0.04

Drawdowns

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, smaller than the maximum ILCB drawdown of -51.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and ILCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	ILCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-51.53%	+16.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-9.09%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-19.05%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-25.47%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.67%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-6.24%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.97%	-0.02%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) have volatilities of 2.90% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LFEQ	ILCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.88%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	9.10%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	12.02%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	17.13%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	18.16%	-0.58%

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. ILCB - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than ILCB's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.11%	1.19%	1.43%	1.65%	1.16%	1.26%	2.25%	2.17%	1.81%	1.97%	2.44%
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.82%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and ILCB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, LFEQ and ILCB 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.

Which is riskier, LFEQ or ILCB?

LFEQ has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to ILCB (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs ILCB's -51.53%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or ILCB?

On 5-year performance, ILCB leads with 13.45% vs 9.91% for LFEQ. On fees, ILCB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or ILCB?

Over the 5-year period, ILCB has performed better with a 13.45% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or ILCB?

ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for LFEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LFEQ or ILCB?

ILCB has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.82% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and ILCB?

LFEQ tracks Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while ILCB tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.03% for ILCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 2.30), 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.