VFQY vs. GERM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VFQY (Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF) and GERM (Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFQY is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while GERM is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. VFQY is actively managed, while GERM is passively managed. Over the past year, VFQY returned 20.32% vs 0.00% for GERM. VFQY charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.

Performance

VFQY vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VFQY

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 20.32%
• 3Y*: 16.45%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: —

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VFQY vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	9.93%	10.24%	3.41%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

VFQY vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFQY	GERM
Technology	25.8%	-
Financial Services	18.9%	0.4%
Industrials	16.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	-
Healthcare	8.9%	99.3%
Communication Services	2.8%	-
Basic Materials	2.2%	-
Energy	2.2%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VFQY vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFQY

VFQY Risk / Return Rank: 51
VFQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VFQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VFQY Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VFQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VFQY Martin Ratio Rank: 55

GERM

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

VFQY vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

	VFQY	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.31	—	—

Drawdowns

VFQY vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFQY drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFQY and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFQY	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	0.00%	-37.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	0.00%	-9.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.67%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.64%	0.00%	-6.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	0.00%	+2.45%

Volatility

VFQY vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that VFQY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFQY	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	0.00%	+3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	0.00%	+9.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.54%	0.00%	+13.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	0.00%	+18.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.83%	0.00%	+20.83%

VFQY vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFQY has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFQY vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

VFQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, while GERM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	1.07%	1.17%	1.34%	1.38%	1.43%	0.98%	1.22%	1.34%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is riskier, VFQY or GERM?

VFQY has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFQY dropped -37.41% vs GERM's 0.00%.

Which ETF is better, VFQY or GERM?

On 1-year performance, VFQY leads with 20.32% vs 0.00% for GERM. On fees, VFQY is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, GERM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFQY or GERM?

Over the 1-year period, VFQY has performed better with a 20.32% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFQY or GERM?

VFQY is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for GERM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VFQY or GERM?

VFQY has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.00% for GERM.

What is the main difference between VFQY and GERM?

VFQY is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GERM is Health & Biotech Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFQY and 0.68% for GERM.