VOE vs. IMCB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VOE (Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF) and IMCB (iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOE is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index, while IMCB is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOE returned 10.55%/yr vs 11.32%/yr for IMCB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOE charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IMCB.

Performance

VOE vs. IMCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOE achieves a 10.75% return, which is significantly lower than IMCB's 14.72% return. Over the past 10 years, VOE has underperformed IMCB with an annualized return of 10.55%, while IMCB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.32% annualized return.

VOE

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 10.75%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 22.73%
• 3Y*: 16.53%
• 5Y*: 8.45%
• 10Y*: 10.55%

IMCB

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 14.72%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 23.24%
• 3Y*: 17.84%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 11.32%

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

VOE vs. IMCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	10.75%	12.08%	14.00%	9.85%	-7.97%	28.78%	2.65%	27.85%	-12.48%	17.07%
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	14.72%	10.25%	15.10%	16.37%	-16.09%	22.81%	13.35%	31.49%	-11.53%	19.70%

Correlation

The correlation between VOE and IMCB is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2006	0.94

The correlation between VOE and IMCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOE vs. IMCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOE	IMCB
Financial Services	16.5%	12.0%
Industrials	14.0%	19.0%
Energy	12.8%	7.4%
Utilities	12.1%	6.2%
Technology	10.9%	21.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	5.1%
Healthcare	6.3%	7.9%
Real Estate	6.0%	4.3%
Basic Materials	5.8%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	9.0%
Communication Services	2.2%	2.3%

Return for Risk

VOE vs. IMCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOE

VOE Risk / Return Rank: 61
VOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VOE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VOE Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IMCB

IMCB Risk / Return Rank: 56
IMCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
IMCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
IMCB Omega Ratio Rank: 51
IMCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IMCB Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

VOE vs. IMCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB). 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.

	VOE	IMCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.83	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.61	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	2.90	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.51	11.50	+1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOE vs. IMCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOE Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the IMCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOE and IMCB, 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

	VOE	IMCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	1.83	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.50	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.58	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.50	-0.06

Drawdowns

VOE vs. IMCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOE drawdown since its inception was -61.50%, roughly equal to the maximum IMCB drawdown of -58.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOE and IMCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOE	IMCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.50%	-58.80%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-8.05%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-19.80%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.70%	-25.15%	+5.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.18%	-40.99%	-2.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.24%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.35%	-7.73%	-0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	2.03%	-0.21%

Volatility

VOE vs. IMCB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) is 2.58%, while iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) has a volatility of 3.31%. This indicates that VOE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IMCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOE	IMCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	3.31%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.13%	9.58%	-1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.47%	12.75%	-1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.03%	17.57%	-1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	19.65%	-0.82%

VOE vs. IMCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOE has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than IMCB's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VOE vs. IMCB - Dividend Comparison

VOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, more than IMCB's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	1.21%	1.42%	1.43%	1.55%	1.70%	1.08%	1.12%	1.32%	1.80%	1.31%	1.79%	1.47%
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.88%	2.10%	2.11%	2.27%	2.27%	1.78%	2.36%	2.05%	2.75%	1.86%	1.92%	2.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOE and IMCB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VOE and IMCB 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.

Which is riskier, VOE or IMCB?

IMCB has higher volatility (3.31%) compared to VOE (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOE dropped -61.50% vs IMCB's -58.80%.

Which ETF is better, VOE or IMCB?

On 10-year performance, IMCB leads with 11.32% vs 10.55% for VOE. On fees, IMCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VOE has been the lower-risk option at 2.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOE or IMCB?

Over the 10-year period, IMCB has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 10.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOE or IMCB?

IMCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VOE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOE or IMCB?

VOE has the higher dividend yield at 1.88%, compared with 1.21% for IMCB.

What is the main difference between VOE and IMCB?

VOE is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while IMCB is Mid Cap Blend Equities. VOE tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index, while IMCB tracks IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VOE and 0.04% for IMCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.83), 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.