VXF vs. IMCB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VXF (Vanguard Extended Market ETF) and IMCB (iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - VXF tracks the S&P Completion Index while IMCB tracks the IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXF returned 12.10%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for IMCB. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VXF charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IMCB.

Performance

VXF vs. IMCB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VXF having a 15.07% return and IMCB slightly higher at 15.52%. Over the past 10 years, VXF has outperformed IMCB with an annualized return of 12.10%, while IMCB has yielded a comparatively lower 11.36% annualized return.

VXF

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 15.07%
• 6M: 13.20%
• 1Y: 30.22%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: 12.10%

IMCB

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 15.52%
• 6M: 15.21%
• 1Y: 24.38%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 8.96%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

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

VXF vs. IMCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXF Vanguard Extended Market ETF	15.07%	11.40%	16.89%	25.51%	-26.52%	12.31%	32.45%	27.96%	-9.34%	18.06%
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	15.52%	10.25%	15.10%	16.37%	-16.09%	22.81%	13.35%	31.49%	-11.53%	19.70%

Correlation

The correlation between VXF and IMCB is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2004	0.93

The correlation between VXF and IMCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VXF vs. IMCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VXF	IMCB
Technology	19.8%	21.3%
Industrials	19.3%	19.0%
Financial Services	14.6%	12.0%
Healthcare	13.3%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	9.0%
Real Estate	6.0%	4.3%
Energy	5.1%	7.4%
Basic Materials	4.2%	5.3%
Communication Services	3.3%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	5.1%
Utilities	2.0%	6.2%

Return for Risk

VXF vs. IMCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXF

VXF Risk / Return Rank: 55
VXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VXF Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VXF Martin Ratio Rank: 60

IMCB

IMCB Risk / Return Rank: 60
IMCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
IMCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IMCB Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IMCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IMCB 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.

VXF vs. IMCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) 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.

	VXF	IMCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.92	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.72	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.04	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.54	12.06	-1.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXF vs. IMCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the IMCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXF 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

	VXF	IMCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	1.92	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.51	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.58	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.51	-0.05

Drawdowns

VXF vs. IMCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXF drawdown since its inception was -58.03%, roughly equal to the maximum IMCB drawdown of -58.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXF and IMCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXF	IMCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.03%	-58.80%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.21%	-8.05%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.92%	-19.80%	-7.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.39%	-25.15%	-11.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.72%	-40.99%	-0.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.55%	-7.73%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	2.03%	+0.84%

Volatility

VXF vs. IMCB - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) has a higher volatility of 4.84% compared to iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) at 3.24%. This indicates that VXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IMCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXF	IMCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	3.24%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.48%	9.60%	+2.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.20%	12.74%	+4.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.33%	17.57%	+4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.29%	19.64%	+2.65%

VXF vs. IMCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXF has a 0.05% 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

VXF vs. IMCB - Dividend Comparison

VXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less 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%
VXF Vanguard Extended Market ETF	1.01%	1.14%	1.09%	1.27%	1.15%	1.13%	1.07%	1.30%	1.66%	1.25%	1.43%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VXF and IMCB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VXF 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, VXF or IMCB?

VXF has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to IMCB (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXF dropped -58.03% vs IMCB's -58.80%.

Which ETF is better, VXF or IMCB?

On 10-year performance, VXF leads with 12.10% vs 11.36% for IMCB. On fees, IMCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IMCB has been the lower-risk option at 3.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXF or IMCB?

Over the 10-year period, VXF has performed better with a 12.10% return vs 11.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXF or IMCB?

IMCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VXF.

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

IMCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 1.01% for VXF.

What is the main difference between VXF and IMCB?

VXF tracks S&P Completion 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: 0.05% for VXF and 0.04% for IMCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IMCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.77), 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.