URTH vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.61%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

URTH vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 URTH having a 9.66% return and VOO slightly higher at 9.75%. Over the past 10 years, URTH has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 13.61%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.

URTH

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 9.66%
• 6M: 9.36%
• 1Y: 25.98%
• 3Y*: 20.26%
• 5Y*: 11.79%
• 10Y*: 13.61%

VOO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.75%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 15.77%

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

URTH vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	9.66%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.75%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and VOO is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012	0.86

The correlation between URTH and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.86 (all time) to 0.98 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URTH vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	VOO
Technology	32.8%	39.1%
Financial Services	15.8%	10.9%
Industrials	10.0%	7.6%
Communication Services	8.6%	10.5%
Healthcare	8.6%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.5%
Energy	3.7%	3.2%
Basic Materials	2.8%	1.7%
Utilities	2.6%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.2%	1.8%

Return for Risk

URTH vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 65
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 64
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.17	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.93	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.02	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.77	13.58	-0.81

URTH vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH and VOO, 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. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, roughly equal to the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTH	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-33.99%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-8.90%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.94%	-18.69%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.05%	-24.52%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-33.99%	-0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	-1.74%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.36%	-3.68%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.98%	+0.06%

Volatility

URTH vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) have volatilities of 4.47% and 4.60%, 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

	URTH	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	4.60%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	9.73%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.59%	12.39%	+0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	16.90%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	18.05%	-0.76%

URTH vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% 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. VOO - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, more than VOO's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	1.40%	1.48%	1.47%	1.70%	1.68%	1.50%	1.52%	2.16%	2.30%	1.88%	2.15%	2.35%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTH and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, URTH and VOO 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, URTH or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to URTH (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, URTH or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.77% vs 13.61% for URTH. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTH or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.77% return vs 13.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTH or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for URTH.

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

URTH has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 1.04% for VOO.

What is the main difference between URTH and VOO?

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.08), 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.