VEGN vs. IQM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VEGN (US Vegan Climate ETF) and IQM (Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. VEGN is passively managed, while IQM is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEGN returned 15.68%/yr vs 20.13%/yr for IQM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEGN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IQM.

Performance

VEGN vs. IQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) and Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGN achieves a 29.79% return, which is significantly lower than IQM's 35.15% return.

VEGN

• 1D: -3.40%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 29.79%
• 6M: 29.01%
• 1Y: 46.88%
• 3Y*: 28.58%
• 5Y*: 15.68%
• 10Y*: —

IQM

• 1D: -6.20%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 35.15%
• 6M: 31.71%
• 1Y: 66.07%
• 3Y*: 35.52%
• 5Y*: 20.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEGN vs. IQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	29.79%	13.71%	25.42%	38.10%	-26.87%	26.01%	29.63%
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	35.15%	30.76%	31.03%	41.06%	-33.36%	25.18%	76.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGN and IQM is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2020	0.88

The correlation between VEGN and IQM shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VEGN vs. IQM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGN	IQM
Technology	63.0%	68.4%
Financial Services	13.3%	-
Communication Services	9.1%	2.3%
Healthcare	4.8%	1.0%
Industrials	4.7%	17.1%
Real Estate	3.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	2.9%
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Utilities	0.1%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Energy	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

VEGN vs. IQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGN

VEGN Risk / Return Rank: 81
VEGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VEGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VEGN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IQM

IQM Risk / Return Rank: 70
IQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IQM Omega Ratio Rank: 61
IQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IQM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VEGN vs. IQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) and Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM). 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.

	VEGN	IQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.11	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	2.52	+0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.35	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	4.52	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.55	14.13	+1.42

VEGN vs. IQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGN Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the IQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGN and IQM, 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

VEGN vs. IQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGN drawdown since its inception was -34.14%, smaller than the maximum IQM drawdown of -44.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGN and IQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGN	IQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.14%	-44.91%	+10.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.85%	-14.71%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.91%	-30.42%	+9.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.40%	-44.91%	+11.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.40%	-6.20%	+2.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.55%	-12.18%	+4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	4.69%	-1.67%

Volatility

VEGN vs. IQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) is 9.97%, while Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) has a volatility of 15.34%. This indicates that VEGN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGN	IQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.97%	15.34%	-5.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	26.16%	-10.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.33%	31.47%	-13.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.63%	29.56%	-8.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.93%	31.10%	-8.17%

VEGN vs. IQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IQM's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGN vs. IQM - Dividend Comparison

VEGN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.50%, while IQM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	0.01%	0.00%
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.67%	0.81%	0.41%	0.71%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGN and IQM in my portfolio?

VEGN and IQM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGN or IQM?

IQM has higher volatility (15.34%) compared to VEGN (9.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGN dropped -34.14% vs IQM's -44.91%.

Which ETF is better, VEGN or IQM?

On 5-year performance, IQM leads with 20.13% vs 15.68% for VEGN. On fees, IQM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, VEGN has been the lower-risk option at 9.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGN or IQM?

Over the 5-year period, IQM has performed better with a 20.13% return vs 15.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEGN or IQM?

IQM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for VEGN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEGN or IQM?

VEGN has the higher dividend yield at 0.50%, compared with 0.00% for IQM.

What is the main difference between VEGN and IQM?

They also come from different issuers: Beyond Investing and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for VEGN and 0.50% for IQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.11), 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.