VIS vs. IFRA

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) and IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - VIS tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index while IFRA tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VIS returned 13.65%/yr vs 14.23%/yr for IFRA. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IFRA.

Performance

VIS vs. IFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIS achieves a 16.86% return, which is significantly lower than IFRA's 18.18% return.

VIS

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.04%
• 6M: 9.98%
• YTD: 16.86%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 13.65%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

IFRA

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.25%
• 6M: 12.82%
• YTD: 18.18%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 18.17%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

VIS vs. IFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	16.86%	18.57%	16.85%	22.50%	-8.57%	20.80%	12.34%	30.09%	-12.17%
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	18.18%	15.90%	17.02%	13.42%	-3.32%	29.81%	7.37%	27.00%	-7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VIS and IFRA is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018	0.86

The correlation between VIS and IFRA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIS vs. IFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIS	IFRA
Industrials	88.4%	37.8%
Technology	3.9%	-
Utilities	3.8%	37.7%
Basic Materials	1.8%	16.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	0.4%
Energy	0.5%	7.9%
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

VIS vs. IFRA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIS

VIS Risk / Return Rank: 47
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 56

IFRA

IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 64
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VIS vs. IFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). 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.

	VIS	IFRA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	1.58	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.37	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.27	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.86	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	10.09	-2.53

VIS vs. IFRA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is comparable to the IFRA Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIS and IFRA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VIS vs. IFRA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIS drawdown since its inception was -63.51%, which is greater than IFRA's maximum drawdown of -41.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIS and IFRA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIS	IFRA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.51%	-41.06%	-22.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.29%	-8.40%	-3.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.80%	-19.93%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.96%	-19.93%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.70%	-3.68%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.34%	-5.10%	-3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	2.38%	+0.62%

Volatility

VIS vs. IFRA - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) has a higher volatility of 6.34% compared to iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) at 4.60%. This indicates that VIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFRA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIS	IFRA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.34%	4.60%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.49%	11.84%	+2.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.76%	15.21%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.55%	17.88%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	21.32%	-0.86%

VIS vs. IFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IFRA's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIS vs. IFRA - Dividend Comparison

VIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than IFRA's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	1.58%	1.84%	1.75%	1.98%	1.98%	1.63%	2.08%	1.68%	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	0.89%	1.01%	1.23%	1.36%	1.52%	1.11%	1.38%	1.68%	1.90%	1.60%	1.81%	1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIS and IFRA in my portfolio?

VIS and IFRA have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIS or IFRA?

VIS has higher volatility (6.34%) compared to IFRA (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIS dropped -63.51% vs IFRA's -41.06%.

Which ETF is better, VIS or IFRA?

On 5-year performance, IFRA leads with 14.23% vs 13.65% for VIS. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIS or IFRA?

Over the 5-year period, IFRA has performed better with a 14.23% return vs 13.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIS or IFRA?

VIS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IFRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIS or IFRA?

IFRA has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.89% for VIS.

What is the main difference between VIS and IFRA?

VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index, while IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VIS and 0.30% for IFRA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 1.28), 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.