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VBK vs. IYH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBK vs. IYH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 11.82%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for IYH. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IYH.

Performance

VBK vs. IYH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 16.25% return, which is significantly higher than IYH's -0.65% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed IYH with an annualized return of 11.82%, while IYH has yielded a comparatively lower 9.52% annualized return.

VBK

1D
0.33%
1M
2.22%
YTD
16.25%
6M
14.67%
1Y
29.81%
3Y*
16.10%
5Y*
4.87%
10Y*
11.82%

IYH

1D
-0.20%
1M
4.45%
YTD
-0.65%
6M
0.07%
1Y
14.13%
3Y*
6.45%
5Y*
4.89%
10Y*
9.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBK vs. IYH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		16.25%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		-0.65%13.16%2.99%2.14%-4.46%23.41%15.56%20.80%5.80%22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and IYH is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.47

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between VBK and IYH has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VBK vs. IYH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VBK
IYH

Technology

25.9%

-

Industrials

24.7%

-

Healthcare

15.3%
100.0%

Consumer Cyclical

9.6%

-

Financial Services

5.6%

-

Energy

4.8%

-

Real Estate

3.9%

-

Communication Services

3.5%

-

Basic Materials

3.2%

-

Consumer Defensive

2.4%

-

Utilities

1.2%

-

Technology

VBK
25.9%
IYH

-

Industrials

VBK
24.7%
IYH

-

Healthcare

VBK
15.3%
IYH
100.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VBK
9.6%
IYH

-

Financial Services

VBK
5.6%
IYH

-

Energy

VBK
4.8%
IYH

-

Real Estate

VBK
3.9%
IYH

-

Communication Services

VBK
3.5%
IYH

-

Basic Materials

VBK
3.2%
IYH

-

Consumer Defensive

VBK
2.4%
IYH

-

Utilities

VBK
1.2%
IYH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOG
Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. IBB

Return for Risk

VBK vs. IYH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VBK vs. IYH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). 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.

VBKIYHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.50
0.94

+0.56

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.09
1.52

+0.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.17

+0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

1.33

+1.28

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.82

3.18

+6.64

VBK vs. IYH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the IYH Sharpe Ratio of 0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and IYH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VBK vs. IYH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than IYH's maximum drawdown of -43.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and IYH.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBKIYHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.68%

-43.12%

-15.56%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.44%

-10.64%

-0.80%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.54%

-17.91%

-9.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.39%

-17.91%

-20.48%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.70%

-28.40%

-10.30%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.04%

-3.94%

+1.90%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.14%

-8.96%

-1.18%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.05%

4.46%

-1.41%

Volatility

VBK vs. IYH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 7.31% compared to iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) at 4.94%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VBKIYHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.31%

4.94%

+2.37%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.61%

10.64%

+4.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.96%

15.10%

+4.86%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.59%

14.96%

+8.63%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.92%

16.74%

+6.18%

VBK vs. IYH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IYH's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBK vs. IYH - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than IYH's 1.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		1.25%1.19%1.25%1.18%1.10%0.94%1.16%1.14%1.95%1.10%1.29%2.02%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.45%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VBK and IYH have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBK has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to IYH (4.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs IYH's -43.12%.

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.82% vs 9.52% for IYH. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IYH has been the lower-risk option at 4.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.82% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.

IYH has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.45% for VBK.

VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while IYH is Health & Biotech Equities. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBK and 0.43% for IYH.

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.94), 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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