VFH vs. IYF
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF).
VFH and IYF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VFH is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. IYF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. It was launched on May 31, 2000. Both VFH and IYF are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
VFH vs. IYF - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
VFH vs. IYF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF | -9.21% | 14.91% | 30.44% | 14.17% | -12.31% | 35.22% | -1.96% | 31.57% | -13.52% | 19.99% |
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF | -8.29% | 18.25% | 31.30% | 15.32% | -11.33% | 31.60% | -1.00% | 31.86% | -9.39% | 19.58% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFH achieves a -9.21% return, which is significantly lower than IYF's -8.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFH having a 12.29% annualized return and IYF not far ahead at 12.58%.
VFH
- 1D
- 2.17%
- 1M
- -3.48%
- YTD
- -9.21%
- 6M
- -7.19%
- 1Y
- 2.67%
- 3Y*
- 17.94%
- 5Y*
- 9.33%
- 10Y*
- 12.29%
IYF
- 1D
- 2.27%
- 1M
- -3.56%
- YTD
- -8.29%
- 6M
- -6.22%
- 1Y
- 5.91%
- 3Y*
- 20.12%
- 5Y*
- 10.92%
- 10Y*
- 12.58%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
VFH vs. IYF - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFH has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IYF's 0.42% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VFH vs. IYF — Risk / Return Rank
VFH
IYF
VFH vs. IYF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF). 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.
| VFH | IYF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.13 | 0.31 | -0.17 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.32 | 0.53 | -0.22 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | 1.08 | -0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.27 | 0.51 | -0.24 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.79 | 1.52 | -0.72 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VFH | IYF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 | 0.31 | -0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | 0.58 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | 0.60 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.24 | 0.22 | +0.02 |
Correlation
The correlation between VFH and IYF is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VFH vs. IYF - Dividend Comparison
VFH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, which matches IYF's 1.62% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFH Vanguard Financials ETF | 1.61% | 1.55% | 1.75% | 2.08% | 2.31% | 1.87% | 2.21% | 2.17% | 2.30% | 1.53% | 1.63% | 2.00% |
IYF iShares U.S. Financials ETF | 1.62% | 1.32% | 1.29% | 1.67% | 1.86% | 1.27% | 1.72% | 1.64% | 1.90% | 1.46% | 1.67% | 1.66% |
Drawdowns
VFH vs. IYF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFH drawdown since its inception was -78.61%, roughly equal to the maximum IYF drawdown of -79.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFH and IYF.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| VFH | IYF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.61% | -79.09% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.75% | -13.88% | -0.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.66% | -25.06% | -0.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.42% | -42.57% | -1.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.97% | -11.10% | -0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.62% | -17.68% | -0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.93% | 4.62% | +0.31% |
Volatility
VFH vs. IYF - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) have volatilities of 4.85% and 4.71%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| VFH | IYF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.85% | 4.71% | +0.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.76% | 11.36% | +0.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.97% | 19.48% | +0.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.38% | 19.00% | +0.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.56% | 20.91% | +1.65% |