IHF vs VOO
iShares US Health Care Providers ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IHF or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IHF | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 64 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +16.20%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +16.40% | +17.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.86% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.95% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,014 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.8% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
IHF vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16 years both funds cover.
IHF vs VOO Performance
iShares US Health Care Providers ETF (IHF) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IHF returned +16.40% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, IHF is up 16.20% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, IHF compounded at +4.86% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +1.95% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +12.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -35.2% for IHF and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IHF charges 0.37% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IHF currently yields 0.92% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
73.9% of IHF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.4% of VOO's money is in holdings IHF also owns.
Most of IHF is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
12 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IHF and 494 in VOO, against full books of 64 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 60 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 475 positions IHF does not, 97.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.55%, AAPL 7.05%, MSFT 5.36%, AMZN 4.13%, GOOGL 3.24%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IHF | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 20.14% | 0.58% | 19.56% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 13.18% | 0.21% | 12.97% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 7.09% | 0.13% | 6.96% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 6.28% | 0.05% | 6.23% |
| HCAHca-the Healthcare Co | 4.67% | 0.10% | 4.57% |
| HUMHumana Inc. | 4.43% | 0.07% | 4.36% |
| CNCCentene | 4.15% | 0.05% | 4.10% |
| LHLabcorp Holdings Inc | 4.00% | 0.04% | 3.96% |
| CICigna Corp. | 3.93% | 0.11% | 3.82% |
| DGXQuest Diagnostics Inc | 3.90% | 0.04% | 3.86% |
73.9% of IHF is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IHF or VOO?
IHF has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IHF or VOO?
Over the past year IHF returned +16.40% vs +17.31% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IHF annualized +12.11% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IHF or VOO?
IHF has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: IHF -35.2% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both IHF and VOO?
IHF and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IHF and VOO?
73.9% of IHF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.4% of VOO's is in holdings IHF also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IHF and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, IHF or VOO?
IHF yields 0.92% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than IHF?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.