VHT vs. IHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and IHY (VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while IHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-­‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.26%/yr vs 4.11%/yr for IHY. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IHY.

Performance

VHT vs. IHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -4.02% return, which is significantly lower than IHY's 1.16% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has outperformed IHY with an annualized return of 9.26%, while IHY has yielded a comparatively lower 4.11% annualized return.

VHT

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: -4.02%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: 14.34%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 4.51%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

IHY

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 1.16%
• 6M: 2.12%
• 1Y: 6.66%
• 3Y*: 9.13%
• 5Y*: 1.73%
• 10Y*: 4.11%

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

VHT vs. IHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-4.02%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%
IHY VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF	1.16%	13.39%	3.55%	12.11%	-14.34%	-2.82%	8.65%	12.77%	-4.52%	12.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and IHY is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2012	0.32

VHT vs. IHY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHT	IHY
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	100.0%
Industrials	0.0%	-
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VHT vs. IHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

IHY

IHY Risk / Return Rank: 33
IHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IHY Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
IHY Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VHT vs. IHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY). 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.

	VHT	IHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.24	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	1.89	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.22	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	1.41	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	5.07	-1.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHT vs. IHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is comparable to the IHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and IHY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VHT	IHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	1.24	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.22	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.53	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.54	+0.02

Drawdowns

VHT vs. IHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, which is greater than IHY's maximum drawdown of -27.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and IHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHT	IHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-27.63%	-11.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-4.75%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-4.75%	-12.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-27.63%	+9.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.85%	-27.63%	-1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.05%	-0.91%	-6.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-5.28%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	1.32%	+2.82%

Volatility

VHT vs. IHY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY) at 1.33%. This indicates that VHT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHT	IHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	1.33%	+2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	3.92%	+6.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	5.39%	+8.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.96%	7.74%	+7.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	7.72%	+9.22%

VHT vs. IHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IHY's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHT vs. IHY - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than IHY's 5.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHY VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF	5.68%	5.31%	5.60%	5.26%	4.97%	4.55%	4.65%	4.86%	4.70%	4.36%	5.11%	5.79%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.71%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHT and IHY in my portfolio?

VHT and IHY have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHT or IHY?

VHT has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to IHY (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs IHY's -27.63%.

Which ETF is better, VHT or IHY?

On 10-year performance, VHT leads with 9.26% vs 4.11% for IHY. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VHT or IHY?

Over the 10-year period, VHT has performed better with a 9.26% return vs 4.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VHT or IHY?

VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VHT or IHY?

IHY has the higher dividend yield at 5.68%, compared with 1.71% for VHT.

What is the main difference between VHT and IHY?

VHT is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IHY is High Yield Bonds. VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while IHY tracks Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-­‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.40% for IHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.00), 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.