VIS vs. SEA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) and SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - VIS tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index while SEA tracks the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VIS returned 22.65%/yr vs 18.84%/yr for SEA. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIS charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SEA.

Performance

VIS vs. SEA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIS achieves a 14.99% return, which is significantly lower than SEA's 21.77% return.

VIS

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 14.99%
• 6M: 16.70%
• 1Y: 28.58%
• 3Y*: 22.65%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 14.09%

SEA

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 21.77%
• 6M: 22.72%
• 1Y: 31.32%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VIS vs. SEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	14.99%	18.57%	16.85%	22.50%	-3.92%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	21.77%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-17.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VIS and SEA is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2022	0.55

The correlation between VIS and SEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIS vs. SEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIS	SEA
Industrials	89.4%	82.7%
Technology	4.5%	-1.6%
Utilities	4.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Energy	0.1%	17.3%
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	0.0%	0.0%
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-

Return for Risk

VIS vs. SEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIS

VIS Risk / Return Rank: 50
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. SEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA). 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.

	VIS	SEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.94	-0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.72	-0.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	3.10	-0.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	12.65	-3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIS vs. SEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the SEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIS and SEA, 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

	VIS	SEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	1.94	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.40	+0.12

Drawdowns

VIS vs. SEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIS drawdown since its inception was -63.51%, which is greater than SEA's maximum drawdown of -39.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIS and SEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIS	SEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.51%	-39.53%	-23.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.29%	-10.67%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.80%	-32.42%	+11.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-2.28%	+1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.38%	-14.32%	+5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	2.61%	+0.34%

Volatility

VIS vs. SEA - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) have volatilities of 5.29% and 5.43%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VIS	SEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	5.43%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	11.98%	+1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.42%	16.30%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	21.68%	-3.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.43%	21.68%	-1.25%

VIS vs. SEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIS has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than SEA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIS vs. SEA - Dividend Comparison

VIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than SEA's 5.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.55%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 SEA in my portfolio?

VIS and SEA have a correlation of 0.53, 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 SEA?

SEA has higher volatility (5.43%) compared to VIS (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIS dropped -63.51% vs SEA's -39.53%.

Which ETF is better, VIS or SEA?

On 3-year performance, VIS leads with 22.65% vs 18.84% for SEA. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VIS has been the lower-risk option at 5.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIS or SEA?

Over the 3-year period, VIS has performed better with a 22.65% return vs 18.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIS or SEA?

VIS is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEA.

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

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 0.89% for VIS.

What is the main difference between VIS and SEA?

VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index, while SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and US Global. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VIS and 0.60% for SEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.75), 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.