VHT vs. IXJ
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ).
VHT and IXJ are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VHT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. IXJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2001. Both VHT and IXJ 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
VHT vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison
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VHT vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | -5.04% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | -3.96% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 12.74% | 23.23% | 2.83% | 20.44% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -5.04% return, which is significantly lower than IXJ's -3.96% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has outperformed IXJ with an annualized return of 9.72%, while IXJ has yielded a comparatively lower 8.40% annualized return.
VHT
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -7.50%
- YTD
- -5.04%
- 6M
- 5.91%
- 1Y
- 4.70%
- 3Y*
- 6.16%
- 5Y*
- 5.09%
- 10Y*
- 9.72%
IXJ
- 1D
- 1.96%
- 1M
- -8.03%
- YTD
- -3.96%
- 6M
- 6.20%
- 1Y
- 4.10%
- 3Y*
- 5.42%
- 5Y*
- 5.33%
- 10Y*
- 8.40%
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VHT vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VHT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IXJ's 0.46% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VHT vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank
VHT
IXJ
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.
| VHT | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.27 | 0.24 | +0.03 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.49 | 0.45 | +0.04 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.06 | +0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.51 | 0.44 | +0.07 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.09 | 1.04 | +0.06 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VHT | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.27 | 0.24 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | 0.38 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 | 0.54 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.56 | 0.42 | +0.14 |
Correlation
The correlation between VHT and IXJ is 0.91, 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
VHT vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison
VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, more than IXJ's 1.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.73% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.45% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
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
| VHT | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.12% | -40.60% | +1.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.40% | -10.35% | -0.05% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.05% | -8.03% | -0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.98% | -6.92% | +0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.96% | 4.41% | +0.55% |
Volatility
VHT vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) have volatilities of 5.10% and 5.06%, 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
| VHT | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.10% | 5.06% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.28% | 10.43% | -0.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.61% | 17.31% | +0.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.85% | 14.07% | +0.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 15.66% | +1.28% |