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VEA vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VEA vs. IXC

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.53%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for IXC. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXC.

Performance

VEA vs. IXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.35% return, which is significantly lower than IXC's 28.81% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has outperformed IXC with an annualized return of 10.53%, while IXC has yielded a comparatively lower 9.93% annualized return.

VEA

1D
3.63%
1M
1.92%
YTD
14.35%
6M
15.67%
1Y
30.39%
3Y*
19.28%
5Y*
9.43%
10Y*
10.53%

IXC

1D
-1.12%
1M
-1.50%
YTD
28.81%
6M
27.41%
1Y
39.54%
3Y*
17.54%
5Y*
19.08%
10Y*
9.93%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VEA vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		14.35%35.16%3.15%17.93%-15.34%11.66%9.71%22.62%-14.75%26.42%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		28.81%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and IXC is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

0.02

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

0.28

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

0.40

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

0.53

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007

0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between VEA and IXC has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VEA vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VEA
IXC

Financial Services

23.3%

-

Industrials

19.2%

-

Technology

13.8%

-

Healthcare

8.2%

-

Basic Materials

7.5%

-

Consumer Cyclical

7.5%

-

Consumer Defensive

5.6%

-

Energy

5.4%
100.0%

Communication Services

3.4%

-

Utilities

3.3%

-

Real Estate

2.7%

-

Financial Services

VEA
23.3%
IXC

-

Industrials

VEA
19.2%
IXC

-

Technology

VEA
13.8%
IXC

-

Healthcare

VEA
8.2%
IXC

-

Basic Materials

VEA
7.5%
IXC

-

Consumer Cyclical

VEA
7.5%
IXC

-

Consumer Defensive

VEA
5.6%
IXC

-

Energy

VEA
5.4%
IXC
100.0%

Communication Services

VEA
3.4%
IXC

-

Utilities

VEA
3.3%
IXC

-

Real Estate

VEA
2.7%
IXC

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

iShares Global Energy ETF

Often compared with VEA:
VEA vs. VXUSVEA vs. VWOVEA vs. VOOVEA vs. VEUVEA vs. SCHFVEA vs. IEFAVEA vs. VTI
Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DE

Return for Risk

VEA vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VEA
VEA Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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.

VEA vs. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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.

VEAIXCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.84
2.11

-0.27

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.54
2.73

-0.19

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.35

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.63

4.11

-1.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.08

11.84

-1.75

VEA vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and IXC, 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

VEA vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, smaller than the maximum IXC drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and IXC.

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Drawdown Indicators

VEAIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.68%

-67.88%

+7.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.63%

-9.66%

-1.97%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.45%

-19.06%

+5.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.71%

-24.93%

-4.78%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.73%

-64.16%

+28.43%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.40%

-7.29%

+5.89%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.28%

-17.47%

+4.19%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

3.35%

-0.33%

Volatility

VEA vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.89% compared to iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) at 6.43%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VEAIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.89%

6.43%

+0.46%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.42%

15.64%

-1.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.58%

18.83%

-2.25%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.72%

23.54%

-6.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.41%

26.84%

-9.43%

VEA vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IXC's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than IXC's 2.86% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.86%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		2.63%3.22%3.35%3.15%2.91%3.16%2.04%3.04%3.35%2.77%3.05%2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

VEA and IXC have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VEA has higher volatility (6.89%) compared to IXC (6.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.53% vs 9.93% for IXC. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.53% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.86%, compared with 2.63% for VEA.

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IXC is Energy Equities. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.40% for IXC.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.84), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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