VCR vs. IYC
VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) and IYC (iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both Consumer Discretionary Equities funds - VCR tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index while IYC tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCR returned 13.40%/yr vs 11.46%/yr for IYC. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VCR charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYC.
Performance
VCR vs. IYC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCR achieves a 1.85% return, which is significantly higher than IYC's -0.23% return. Over the past 10 years, VCR has outperformed IYC with an annualized return of 13.40%, while IYC has yielded a comparatively lower 11.46% annualized return.
VCR
- 1D
- 2.14%
- 1M
- 1.04%
- 6M
- -0.18%
- YTD
- 1.85%
- 1Y
- 11.97%
- 3Y*
- 12.25%
- 5Y*
- 5.83%
- 10Y*
- 13.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.09%
IYC
- 1D
- 1.46%
- 1M
- 0.54%
- 6M
- -1.73%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 1Y
- 5.11%
- 3Y*
- 13.35%
- 5Y*
- 6.39%
- 10Y*
- 11.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.48%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.99M | $10.43M | $12.08M | |
| $24.52M | $25.91M | $23.87M |
VCR vs. IYC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | 1.85% | 5.77% | 24.27% | 40.38% | -35.15% | 24.86% | 48.36% | 27.45% | -2.31% | 22.82% |
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF | -0.23% | 7.85% | 27.54% | 34.03% | -31.78% | 19.65% | 24.58% | 27.36% | 1.76% | 19.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCR and IYC is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VCR and IYC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCR vs. IYC — Risk / Return Rank
VCR
IYC
VCR vs. IYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) and iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC). 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.
| VCR | IYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.07 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.77 | 0.43 | +0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.22 | 1.10 | +1.12 |
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Drawdowns
VCR vs. IYC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCR drawdown since its inception was -61.54%, which is greater than IYC's maximum drawdown of -53.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCR and IYC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCR | IYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.54% | -53.10% | -8.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.59% | -11.97% | -3.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.36% | -21.62% | -5.74% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.20% | -35.90% | -3.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.20% | -35.90% | -3.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.79% | -4.00% | +1.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.37% | -9.93% | +0.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.41% | 4.65% | +0.76% |
Volatility
VCR vs. IYC - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) has a higher volatility of 7.05% compared to iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF (IYC) at 5.39%. This indicates that VCR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCR | IYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.05% | 5.39% | +1.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.91% | 12.01% | +2.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.52% | 15.25% | +4.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.24% | 20.89% | +3.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.51% | 19.96% | +2.55% |
VCR vs. IYC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCR has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IYC's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
VCR vs. IYC - Dividend Comparison
VCR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, more than IYC's 0.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYC iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.50% | 0.51% | 0.47% | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.39% | 0.65% | 0.89% | 0.90% | 0.92% | 1.10% | 1.03% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.72% | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.84% | 0.98% | 0.79% | 1.71% | 1.17% | 1.37% | 1.21% | 1.60% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, VCR and IYC 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.
VCR has higher volatility (7.05%) compared to IYC (5.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCR dropped -61.54% vs IYC's -53.10%.
On 10-year performance, VCR leads with 13.40% vs 11.46% for IYC. On fees, VCR is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IYC has been the lower-risk option at 5.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCR has performed better with a 13.40% return vs 11.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCR is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IYC.
VCR has the higher dividend yield at 0.72%, compared with 0.50% for IYC.
VCR tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index, while IYC tracks Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VCR and 0.38% for IYC.
VCR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.62 vs 0.34), 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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