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VHT vs. IXJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VHT vs. IXJ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - VHT tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index while IXJ tracks the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 10.00%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for IXJ. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXJ.

Performance

VHT vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -1.31% return, which is significantly higher than IXJ's -3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has outperformed IXJ with an annualized return of 10.00%, while IXJ has yielded a comparatively lower 8.39% annualized return.

VHT

1D
0.93%
1M
1.34%
YTD
-1.31%
6M
-1.97%
1Y
17.91%
3Y*
6.63%
5Y*
4.45%
10Y*
10.00%

IXJ

1D
0.55%
1M
-0.56%
YTD
-3.17%
6M
-3.06%
1Y
12.38%
3Y*
4.93%
5Y*
3.99%
10Y*
8.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VHT vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		-1.31%15.46%2.66%2.52%-5.60%20.57%18.29%21.87%5.58%23.26%
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		-3.17%14.99%0.55%3.62%-4.94%19.60%12.74%23.23%2.83%20.44%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and IXJ is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

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

0.96

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

0.96

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

0.96

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

0.95

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.91

The correlation between VHT and IXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHT vs. IXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VHT
IXJ

Healthcare

100.0%
98.5%

Financial Services

0.0%

-

Industrials

0.0%

-

Technology

0.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

0.5%

Energy

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

VHT
100.0%
IXJ
98.5%

Financial Services

VHT
0.0%
IXJ

-

Industrials

VHT
0.0%
IXJ

-

Technology

VHT
0.0%
IXJ

-

Basic Materials

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Communication Services

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Consumer Cyclical

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Consumer Defensive

VHT

-

IXJ
0.5%

Energy

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Real Estate

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Utilities

VHT

-

IXJ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Health Care ETF

iShares Global Healthcare ETF

Often compared with VHT:
VHT vs. XLVVHT vs. VGHCXVHT vs. VOOVHT vs. VGHAXVHT vs. FHLCVHT vs. IYHVHT vs. VGT
Often compared with IXJ:
IXJ vs. XLVIXJ vs. IHIIXJ vs. XDWH.LIXJ vs. FHLCIXJ vs. IVVIXJ vs. HLTH.LIXJ vs. XT

Return for Risk

VHT vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VHT
VHT Risk / Return Rank: 3434
Overall Rank
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3838
Sortino Ratio Rank
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3535
Calmar Ratio Rank
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 3131
Martin Ratio Rank
IXJ
IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 2222
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.

VHT vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). 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.

VHTIXJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.23
0.84

+0.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.91
1.37

+0.55

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.15

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.73

1.15

+0.58

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.26

2.73

+1.52

VHT vs. IXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is higher than the IXJ Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and IXJ, 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

VHT vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, roughly equal to the maximum IXJ drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and IXJ.

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Drawdown Indicators

VHTIXJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-39.12%

-40.60%

+1.48%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.40%

-10.78%

+0.38%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.91%

-18.14%

+1.23%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.71%

-18.14%

+0.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.85%

-27.35%

-1.50%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.44%

-7.28%

+2.84%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.98%

-6.92%

+0.94%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.22%

4.54%

-0.32%

Volatility

VHT vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) have volatilities of 4.91% and 4.90%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

VHTIXJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.91%

4.90%

+0.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.41%

10.39%

+0.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.70%

14.83%

-0.13%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.02%

14.27%

+0.75%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.97%

15.71%

+1.26%

VHT vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VHT vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than IXJ's 1.54% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		1.54%1.40%1.50%1.38%1.17%1.12%1.27%1.42%2.11%1.46%1.73%2.85%
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		1.66%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

With a correlation of 0.96, VHT and IXJ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

VHT has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to IXJ (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs IXJ's -40.60%.

On 10-year performance, VHT leads with 10.00% vs 8.39% for IXJ. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VHT has performed better with a 10.00% return vs 8.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.54% for IXJ.

VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while IXJ tracks S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.40% for IXJ.

VHT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.84), 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.

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