URTH vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.38%/yr vs 13.24%/yr for VIG. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIG.

Performance

URTH vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URTH achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly higher than VIG's 7.68% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with URTH having a 13.38% annualized return and VIG not far behind at 13.24%.

URTH

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: 9.60%
• 1Y: 24.56%
• 3Y*: 19.60%
• 5Y*: 11.45%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

VIG

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 2.11%
• YTD: 7.68%
• 6M: 6.99%
• 1Y: 19.52%
• 3Y*: 15.98%
• 5Y*: 10.74%
• 10Y*: 13.24%

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

URTH vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	8.91%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.68%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and VIG is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012	0.80

The correlation between URTH and VIG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

URTH vs. VIG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	VIG
Technology	28.3%	26.2%
Financial Services	15.8%	20.6%
Industrials	11.3%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	4.7%
Communication Services	9.3%	0.5%
Healthcare	8.8%	16.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	10.1%
Energy	4.2%	3.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	3.5%
Utilities	2.7%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

URTH vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 64
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 60
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

URTH vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.

	URTH	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.80	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.61	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.32	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.37	9.34	+2.03

URTH vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH and VIG, 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

URTH vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, smaller than the maximum VIG drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTH	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-46.81%	+12.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-7.91%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.94%	-14.95%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.05%	-20.39%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-31.72%	-2.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.87%	-0.33%	-1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-5.51%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.96%	+0.08%

Volatility

URTH vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) has a higher volatility of 4.55% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.93%. This indicates that URTH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URTH	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	2.93%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	7.78%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	10.19%	+2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	14.25%	+2.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	16.06%	+1.23%

URTH vs. VIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VIG's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

URTH vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than VIG's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	1.36%	1.48%	1.47%	1.70%	1.68%	1.50%	1.52%	2.16%	2.30%	1.88%	2.15%	2.35%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.47%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTH and VIG in my portfolio?

URTH and VIG have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTH or VIG?

URTH has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to VIG (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which ETF is better, URTH or VIG?

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.38% vs 13.24% for VIG. On fees, VIG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VIG has been the lower-risk option at 2.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTH or VIG?

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 13.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTH or VIG?

VIG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for URTH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URTH or VIG?

VIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.36% for URTH.

What is the main difference between URTH and VIG?

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while VIG is Dividend. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.04% for VIG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.80), 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.