VOT vs. HFXI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and HFXI (IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while HFXI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 11.95%/yr vs 11.43%/yr for HFXI. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HFXI.

Performance

VOT vs. HFXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 5.49% return, which is significantly lower than HFXI's 14.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VOT having a 11.95% annualized return and HFXI not far behind at 11.43%.

VOT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

HFXI

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 6M: 17.07%
• 1Y: 30.93%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: 11.43%

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

VOT vs. HFXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	5.49%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	14.20%	30.10%	7.58%	19.56%	-10.71%	13.96%	6.88%	23.67%	-12.69%	22.68%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and HFXI is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2015	0.70

The correlation between VOT and HFXI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. HFXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	HFXI
Technology	28.9%	14.6%
Industrials	23.7%	20.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	7.7%
Healthcare	9.3%	9.5%
Financial Services	6.8%	22.8%
Real Estate	4.8%	2.5%
Communication Services	3.8%	3.5%
Utilities	3.5%	3.6%
Energy	2.7%	3.6%
Basic Materials	1.8%	5.9%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	6.3%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. HFXI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

HFXI

HFXI Risk / Return Rank: 68
HFXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
HFXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
HFXI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
HFXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
HFXI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VOT vs. HFXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI). 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.

	VOT	HFXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	2.05	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	2.81	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.38	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	2.87	-2.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.46	11.31	-9.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOT vs. HFXI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the HFXI Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and HFXI, 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

	VOT	HFXI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	2.05	-1.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.78	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.69	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.55	-0.11

Drawdowns

VOT vs. HFXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, which is greater than HFXI's maximum drawdown of -32.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and HFXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	HFXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-32.42%	-27.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-10.84%	-5.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-13.52%	-8.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-22.35%	-14.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-32.42%	-4.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.48%	-2.94%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-5.45%	-4.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.33%	2.74%	+2.59%

Volatility

VOT vs. HFXI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 5.45%, while IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that VOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HFXI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	HFXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.45%	5.75%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	12.97%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.20%	15.17%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.41%	14.94%	+6.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	16.67%	+4.35%

VOT vs. HFXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than HFXI's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VOT vs. HFXI - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than HFXI's 3.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	3.94%	4.19%	2.68%	2.49%	4.65%	3.10%	2.00%	3.19%	4.33%	2.56%	2.71%	0.78%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.63%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and HFXI in my portfolio?

VOT and HFXI have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or HFXI?

HFXI has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to VOT (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs HFXI's -32.42%.

Which ETF is better, VOT or HFXI?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 11.95% vs 11.43% for HFXI. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 5.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOT or HFXI?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 11.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOT or HFXI?

VOT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HFXI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOT or HFXI?

HFXI has the higher dividend yield at 3.94%, compared with 0.63% for VOT.

What is the main difference between VOT and HFXI?

VOT is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while HFXI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while HFXI tracks FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and New York Life. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOT and 0.20% for HFXI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.48), 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.