VB vs. IDEV
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and IDEV (iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while IDEV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VB returned 7.48%/yr vs 8.97%/yr for IDEV. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
VB vs. IDEV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 14.83% return, which is significantly higher than IDEV's 8.65% return.
VB
- 1D
- -0.68%
- 1M
- -0.48%
- 6M
- 7.51%
- YTD
- 14.83%
- 1Y
- 22.58%
- 3Y*
- 14.33%
- 5Y*
- 7.48%
- 10Y*
- 10.93%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.88%
IDEV
- 1D
- -0.73%
- 1M
- -1.43%
- 6M
- 4.85%
- YTD
- 8.65%
- 1Y
- 20.97%
- 3Y*
- 15.83%
- 5Y*
- 8.97%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 9.26%
VB vs. IDEV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 14.83% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 14.83% |
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF | 8.65% | 32.56% | 4.54% | 17.36% | -14.99% | 13.00% | 8.32% | 23.12% | -14.10% | 17.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and IDEV is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2017 | 0.76 |
The correlation between VB and IDEV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
VB vs. IDEV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VB
IDEV
Industrials
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Basic Materials
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Communication Services
Industrials
VB
IDEV
Technology
VB
IDEV
Healthcare
VB
IDEV
Financial Services
VB
IDEV
Consumer Cyclical
VB
IDEV
Real Estate
VB
IDEV
Basic Materials
VB
IDEV
Energy
VB
IDEV
Consumer Defensive
VB
IDEV
Utilities
VB
IDEV
Communication Services
VB
IDEV
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Return for Risk
VB vs. IDEV — Risk / Return Rank
VB
IDEV
VB vs. IDEV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV). 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.
| VB | IDEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.25 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 1.88 | +0.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.17 | 7.30 | +1.86 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. IDEV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than IDEV's maximum drawdown of -34.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and IDEV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | IDEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -34.77% | -24.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -11.20% | +2.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -13.41% | -11.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -29.15% | +1.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.94% | -2.41% | -0.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.40% | -6.49% | -1.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.47% | 2.88% | -0.41% |
Volatility
VB vs. IDEV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) is 3.21%, while iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) has a volatility of 3.70%. This indicates that VB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IDEV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | IDEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.21% | 3.70% | -0.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.07% | 13.00% | -0.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.49% | 15.15% | +1.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.70% | 16.32% | +4.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.37% | 17.25% | +4.12% |
VB vs. IDEV - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VB and IDEV have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VB vs. IDEV - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, less than IDEV's 3.25% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF | 3.25% | 3.40% | 3.30% | 3.07% | 2.69% | 3.05% | 2.00% | 3.18% | 3.16% | 1.54% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.23% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VB and IDEV have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IDEV has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to VB (3.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs IDEV's -34.77%.
On 5-year performance, IDEV leads with 8.97% vs 7.48% for VB. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, VB has been the lower-risk option at 3.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IDEV has performed better with a 8.97% return vs 7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB and IDEV have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.
IDEV has the higher dividend yield at 3.25%, compared with 1.23% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while IDEV is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while IDEV tracks MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.
IDEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 1.38), 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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