PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VWO vs. IJH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VWO vs. IJH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) and IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWO returned 7.86%/yr vs 11.03%/yr for IJH. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VWO charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for IJH.

Performance

VWO vs. IJH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWO achieves a 9.41% return, which is significantly lower than IJH's 14.60% return. Over the past 10 years, VWO has underperformed IJH with an annualized return of 7.86%, while IJH has yielded a comparatively higher 11.03% annualized return.

VWO

1D
0.96%
1M
-0.49%
6M
4.16%
YTD
9.41%
1Y
21.69%
3Y*
14.84%
5Y*
6.08%
10Y*
7.86%
ALL TIME*
6.81%

IJH

1D
-0.11%
1M
-1.08%
6M
10.14%
YTD
14.60%
1Y
22.81%
3Y*
13.01%
5Y*
8.44%
10Y*
11.03%
ALL TIME*
9.85%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IJH

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF
$461.96M$459.67M$538.23M

VWO

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
$386.61M$469.40M$499.89M

VWO vs. IJH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		9.41%25.60%10.59%9.25%-17.98%1.26%15.17%20.75%-14.76%31.49%
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		14.60%7.42%13.92%16.40%-13.11%24.72%13.60%26.10%-11.19%16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VWO and IJH is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.62

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.58

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.61

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.61

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005

0.70

The correlation between VWO and IJH shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (3 years) to 0.70 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWO vs. IJH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VWO
IJH

Technology

34.2%
17.5%

Financial Services

19.4%
13.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.1%
10.5%

Industrials

7.9%
25.2%

Basic Materials

7.2%
4.8%

Communication Services

6.6%
1.5%

Energy

3.8%
4.6%

Healthcare

3.7%
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

3.3%
3.2%

Utilities

2.8%
2.8%

Real Estate

2.0%
7.2%

Technology

VWO
34.2%
IJH
17.5%

Financial Services

VWO
19.4%
IJH
13.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VWO
9.1%
IJH
10.5%

Industrials

VWO
7.9%
IJH
25.2%

Basic Materials

VWO
7.2%
IJH
4.8%

Communication Services

VWO
6.6%
IJH
1.5%

Energy

VWO
3.8%
IJH
4.6%

Healthcare

VWO
3.7%
IJH
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

VWO
3.3%
IJH
3.2%

Utilities

VWO
2.8%
IJH
2.8%

Real Estate

VWO
2.0%
IJH
7.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

Often compared with VWO:
VWO vs. VEAVWO vs. IEMGVWO vs. VXUSVWO vs. EEMVWO vs. VOOVWO vs. VTIVWO vs. VEMAX
Often compared with IJH:
IJH vs. VOIJH vs. IJRIJH vs. MDYIJH vs. SCHMIJH vs. IJKIJH vs. IJJIJH vs. IVOO

Return for Risk

VWO vs. IJH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VWO
VWO Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
IJH
IJH Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
IJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJH Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
IJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJH Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VWO vs. IJH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). 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.

VWOIJHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.20
1.34

-0.14

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.72
2.00

-0.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.24

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.89

2.39

-0.49

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.16

8.69

-2.53

VWO vs. IJH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the IJH Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO and IJH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VWO vs. IJH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, which is greater than IJH's maximum drawdown of -55.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and IJH.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VWOIJHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.68%

-55.07%

-12.61%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.17%

-8.83%

-2.34%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.37%

-24.10%

+6.73%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.88%

-24.10%

-6.78%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.39%

-42.18%

+5.79%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.07%

-2.39%

-1.68%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.73%

-7.53%

-8.20%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.43%

2.42%

+1.01%

Volatility

VWO vs. IJH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a higher volatility of 5.58% compared to iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) at 3.46%. This indicates that VWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VWOIJHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.58%

3.46%

+2.12%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.22%

11.63%

+3.59%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.58%

15.76%

+1.82%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.56%

19.67%

-2.11%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.17%

21.13%

-1.96%

VWO vs. IJH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWO has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than IJH's 0.05% 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

VWO vs. IJH - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than IJH's 1.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		1.18%1.36%1.33%1.46%1.68%1.18%1.28%1.63%1.72%1.19%1.60%1.56%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		2.35%2.79%3.20%3.52%4.11%2.63%1.91%3.23%2.88%2.30%2.52%3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

VWO and IJH have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VWO has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to IJH (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs IJH's -55.07%.

On 10-year performance, IJH leads with 11.03% vs 7.86% for VWO. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 3.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJH has performed better with a 11.03% return vs 7.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJH is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VWO.

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.18% for IJH.

VWO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IJH is Mid Cap Blend Equities. VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index, while IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VWO and 0.05% for IJH.

IJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 1.20), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VWO and IJH

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer