IYH vs VHT: Grades, Fees and Holdings Compared

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

IYHANYSE Arca

Vanguard Health Care ETF

VHTANYSE Arca

Overlap

87.4%by weight

Expense ratio

VHT −0.28pt a year

IYH0.37%VHT0.09%

Avg volume · 30D

IYH 3.3×the volume

IYH788KVHT237K

10Y return · a year

VHT +0.2pt

IYH+12.2%VHT+12.4%

IYH vs VHT Performance

Oct 29, 2021 – Oct 30, 2026

+42.8%IYH+42.5%VHT

Expense ratio: IYH 0.37%; VHT 0.09%, better
Fund size: IYH $4.64B; VHT $21.8B
1Y total return: IYH +29.4%, better; VHT +28.7%
Yield (12M): IYH 1.03%; VHT 1.35%, better
Holdings: IYH 102; VHT 413
Avg volume (30D): IYH 788K sh, better; VHT 237K sh
NAV per share: IYH $77.80; VHT $342.46
52W range

ETF.net Grade

Pillar letters and Scores for IYH, VHT, with each pillar’s weight
Pillar	IYH	VHT
Cost30% weight	B69	A92Higher
Mission25% weight	Not scored	A82
Risk15% weight	A76	A79Higher
Tradability15% weight	A91Higher	B57
Holdings10% weight	D35	B58Higher
Durability5% weight	A85	A92Higher

Rank among Health Care (Broad) funds

How we build Categories ›

Same Category. IYH and VHT are both graded against the same 25 Health Care (Broad) funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

Health Care (Broad)⁠

Category · 25 funds

See all 25 ›

VHT ranks 3rd and IYH 5th of 25 funds in the Health Care (Broad) Category.

Rank 1AXLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETFScore 85
Rank 2AFHLCFidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETFScore 83
Rank 3AVHTVanguard Health Care ETFScore 77
Rank 4AXHSState Street SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETFScore 74
Rank 5AIYHiShares U.S. Healthcare ETFScore 71
Rank 6BIXJiShares Global Healthcare ETFScore 69

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

IYHAiShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

VHTAVanguard Health Care ETF

In short

IYH Healthcare in one ticker from the class of 2000: roughly 100 drug, biotech and device names drawn from the Russell 1000, with index caps that stop any single giant from running the show.

VHT The whole US health care sector in one ticket: roughly 400 stocks, an index that reaches well past the megacaps, and a nine-basis-point fee. Trading since 2004, it is one of the category's originals.

Stated mandate

IYH The fund is designed to follow a healthcare-sector equity index focused on U.S. companies, while providing diversified exposure to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare equipment.

VHT The fund seeks to track a benchmark index measuring the investment return of health care stocks.

Why people hold it

IYH The index is a Russell 1000 subset covering large and mid caps, so the fund reaches past mega-cap pharma into smaller device and biotech issuers.sec.gov
Concentration has a documented ceiling: at each quarterly rebalance no single issuer tops 22.5%, and positions above 4.5% are capped at 45% combined.sec.gov
At 0.37% with no waiver in the mix, the fee sits below the healthcare category median, and the fund has traded since June 12, 2000.
A multi-billion-dollar, actively traded iShares sector fund that pays quarterly and holds the stocks outright rather than swapping for exposure.ishares.com

VHT Costs 0.09% a year while the typical fund in its health care peer group charges 0.50%. Same sector, a fraction of the toll.
Roughly 400 holdings drawn from an investable-market index, so mid and small health care companies count too, not just the sector's giants.vanguard.com
Two decades old, now a multi-billion-dollar fund, moderately traded, and it has hugged its benchmark closely. Pays out quarterly.
On cost, tracking and tradability together, it stands among the strongest builds in a 24-fund health care cohort.

Worth knowing

IYH Cheaper routes to the same sector exist: XLV charges 0.08% and VHT 0.09%, neither relying on a waiver, against 0.37% here.
One sector, one country. Regulation, patent cycles and drug pricing drive it, with no bonds or foreign names in the mix to soften the ride.
Even with the caps, about 100 stocks means a handful of large pharma and device makers shape most of the movement.sec.gov

VHT FHLC and XLV each shave a basis point off the fee. If the fee line is your only tiebreaker, VHT is not the final word.
One sector, one news cycle. Drug pricing rules, patent expirations and regulatory decisions can move the entire basket at once.vanguard.com
Cap-weighted with a 25/50 diversification rule, so no single name can dominate outright, but the largest pharma and insurer positions still steer most of the ride.vanguard.com

Full IYH profile⁠

Full VHT profile⁠

IYH vs VHT Holdings

How IYH and VHT differ

Overlap by weight

87.4%

Shared holdings make up 99.1% of IYH and 87.7% of VHT.

Level by level

Sector14 Sectors0.0%
Holdings95 in both87.4%
Asset classEquity100%
Countryby domicile99.7%

Sector

Sector weights in IYH and VHT, widest gap first
Sector	More in IYHMore in VHT	IYH	VHT
Health Care	VHT +100.0 points	0.0%	100.0%
Pharmaceuticals	IYH +36.4 points	36.4%	0.0%
Biotechnology	IYH +23.9 points	23.9%	0.0%
Health Care Equipment	IYH +14.4 points	14.4%	0.0%
Life Sciences Tools & Services	IYH +10.9 points	10.9%	0.0%
Managed Health Care	IYH +8.2 points	8.2%	0.0%
Health Care Services	IYH +2.5 points	2.5%	0.0%
Health Care Facilities	IYH +2.1 points	2.1%	0.0%
Health Care Technology	IYH +0.8 points	0.8%	0.0%
Health Care Supplies	IYH +0.7 points	0.7%	0.0%
Health Care Distributors	IYH +0.1 points	0.1%	0.0%
Financials	Same weight	0.0%	0.0%
Industrials	Same weight	0.0%	0.0%
Technology	Same weight	0.0%	0.0%

Country, concentration and asset class

Country by domicile

Country weights in IYH and VHT, widest gap first
Country	More in IYHMore in VHT	IYH	VHT
United States	VHT +0.3 points	99.7%	100.0%
United Kingdom	IYH +0.3 points	0.3%	0.0%

Concentration

Weight in the 10 largest Holdings

IYH59.9%
VHT51.8%

Securities held

IYH100
VHT411

Asset class

IYH: Equity
VHT: Equity

Holdings

Only in IYH5
In both95
Only in VHT316

Only in IYH

5 securities, 0.8% of IYH by weight

Royalty Pharma PLC Class A0.40%
Ascendis Pharma0.19%
Qiagen0.15%
Caris Life Sciences0.06%
Hologic Inc0.00%

Only in VHT

316 securities, 12.1% of VHT by weight

CVS Health Corp1.53%
McKesson Corp1.40%
Cencora Inc0.78%
Cardinal Health Inc0.73%
Mettler-Toledo International Inc0.43%
Twist Bioscience Corp0.16%
SLBBH11420.14%
10X Genomics Inc0.13%
BrightSpring Health Services Inc0.13%
Glaukos Corp0.13%
Cytokinetics Inc0.11%
TG Therapeutics Inc0.11%
HealthEquity Inc0.10%
Protagonist Therapeutics Inc0.10%
Vaxcyte Inc0.10%
Krystal Biotech Inc0.10%
Praxis Precision Medicines Inc0.09%
Lantheus Holdings Inc0.09%
Alkermes PLC0.09%
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc0.09%
Hims & Hers Health Inc0.08%
Kymera Therapeutics Inc0.08%
Iovance Biotherapeutics Inc0.08%
Spyre Therapeutics Inc0.08%
GRAIL Inc0.07%
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc0.07%
Merit Medical Systems Inc0.07%
Travere Therapeutics Inc0.07%
Haemonetics Corp0.07%
RadNet Inc0.06%
PTC Therapeutics Inc0.06%
Definium Therapeutics Inc0.06%
Integer Holdings Corp0.06%
Hinge Health Inc0.06%
Cogent Biosciences Inc0.06%
LivaNova PLC0.06%
Concentra Group Holdings Parent Inc0.06%
Scholar Rock Holding Corp0.05%
ICU Medical Inc0.05%
IRhythm Holdings Inc0.05%
Indivior Pharmaceuticals Inc0.05%
Veracyte Inc0.05%
Mirum Pharmaceuticals Inc0.05%
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp0.05%
ImmunityBio Inc0.05%
CG oncology Inc0.05%
HeartFlow Inc0.05%
Ideaya Biosciences Inc0.05%
Option Care Health Inc0.05%
Dianthus Therapeutics Inc0.05%

Weight gaps

All 95 Holdings in both funds, largest gap first.

Holding weights in IYH and VHT, widest gap first
Holding	More in IYHMore in VHT	IYH	VHT
Eli LillyLLY	IYH +3.46 points	16.41%	12.95%
AbbVieABBV	IYH +1.11 points	7.57%	6.46%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ	IYH +0.76 points	9.55%	8.79%
UnitedHealth GroupUNH	IYH +0.67 points	5.33%	4.66%
Gilead SciencesGILD	IYH +0.49 points	3.08%	2.59%
Amgen IncAMGN	IYH +0.47 points	3.65%	3.18%
Merck & Co IncMRK	IYH +0.34 points	5.36%	5.02%
Abbott LaboratoriesABT	IYH +0.26 points	2.67%	2.41%
ModernaMRNA	IYH +0.26 points	1.17%	0.91%
Thermo Fisher ScientificTMO	IYH +0.25 points	3.76%	3.51%
PfizerPFE	IYH +0.25 points	2.52%	2.27%
Regeneron PharmaceuticalsREGN	IYH +0.25 points	1.34%	1.09%
Vertex PharmaceuticalsVRTX	IYH +0.20 points	2.06%	1.86%
Intuitive SurgicalISRG	IYH +0.20 points	2.21%	2.01%
Elevance Health IncELV	IYH +0.17 points	1.32%	1.15%
Medtronic PLCMDT	IYH +0.18 points	1.72%	1.54%
DanaherDHR	IYH +0.16 points	2.13%	1.97%
Alnylam PharmaceuticalsALNY	VHT +0.14 points	0.32%	0.46%
StrykerSYK	IYH +0.13 points	1.46%	1.33%
CignaCI	IYH +0.12 points	1.13%	1.01%
Becton DickinsonBDX	IYH +0.10 points	0.79%	0.69%
Veeva Systems Class AVEEV	IYH +0.10 points	0.68%	0.58%
Ge Healthcare TechnologiesGEHC	IYH +0.08 points	0.50%	0.42%
HumanaHUM	IYH +0.08 points	0.72%	0.64%
Labcorp HoldingsLH	IYH +0.08 points	0.43%	0.35%
Zoetis Inc Class AZTS	IYH +0.08 points	0.49%	0.41%
BiogenBIIB	IYH +0.07 points	0.54%	0.47%
Hca HealthcareHCA	IYH +0.07 points	1.00%	0.93%
United TherapeuticsUTHR	IYH +0.07 points	0.36%	0.29%
Bristol Myers SquibbBMY	IYH +0.07 points	1.85%	1.78%
Edwards LifesciencesEW	IYH +0.07 points	0.76%	0.69%
Centene CorpCNC	IYH +0.06 points	0.49%	0.43%
Exelixis IncEXEL	IYH +0.06 points	0.25%	0.19%
Idexx LaboratoriesIDXX	IYH +0.05 points	0.63%	0.58%
Waters CorpWAT	IYH +0.06 points	0.66%	0.60%
West Pharmaceutical ServicesWST	IYH +0.05 points	0.42%	0.37%
Charles River Laboratories InternaCRL	IYH +0.05 points	0.25%	0.20%
Bridgebio PharmaBBIO	IYH +0.04 points	0.18%	0.14%
Illumina IncILMN	VHT +0.04 points	0.52%	0.56%
Corcept TherapeuticsCORT	VHT +0.05 points	0.11%	0.16%
Revolution MedicinesRVMD	IYH +0.04 points	0.53%	0.49%
Quest Diagnostics IncDGX	IYH +0.04 points	0.40%	0.36%
Halozyme TherapeuticsHALO	IYH +0.04 points	0.22%	0.18%
ResmedRMD	IYH +0.03 points	0.48%	0.45%
SterisSTE	IYH +0.03 points	0.32%	0.29%
Agilent Technologies IncA	IYH +0.04 points	0.72%	0.68%
NateraNTRA	IYH +0.03 points	0.82%	0.79%
ViatrisVTRS	IYH +0.03 points	0.32%	0.29%
Medline Class AMDLN	IYH +0.03 points	0.21%	0.18%
Guardant HealthGH	IYH +0.02 points	0.33%	0.31%
Encompass HealthEHC	IYH +0.02 points	0.19%	0.17%
Zimmer Biomet HoldingsZBH	IYH +0.03 points	0.27%	0.24%
InsuletPODD	IYH +0.02 points	0.15%	0.13%
Neurocrine BiosciencesNBIX	IYH +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Dexcom IncDXCM	VHT +0.02 points	0.45%	0.47%
Axsome TherapeuticsAXSM	VHT +0.02 points	0.09%	0.11%
RevvityRVTY	IYH +0.01 points	0.25%	0.24%
Molina Healthcare IncMOH	IYH +0.01 points	0.15%	0.14%
Davita IncDVA	IYH +0.01 points	0.09%	0.08%
CooperCOO	IYH +0.02 points	0.17%	0.15%
Medpace HoldingsMEDP	IYH +0.01 points	0.21%	0.20%
AvantorAVTR	IYH +0.01 points	0.15%	0.14%
InsmedINSM	IYH +0.01 points	0.35%	0.34%
Doximity Class ADOCS	IYH +0.01 points	0.06%	0.05%
Biomarin PharmaceuticalBMRN	IYH +0.01 points	0.16%	0.15%
TeleflexTFX	IYH +0.01 points	0.09%	0.08%
RepligenRGEN	IYH +0.01 points	0.15%	0.14%
Ensign GroupENSG	IYH +0.01 points	0.15%	0.14%
PenumbraPEN	IYH +0.01 points	0.18%	0.17%
Roivant Sciences LtdROIV	IYH +0.01 points	0.28%	0.27%
Elanco Animal HealthELAN	IYH +0.01 points	0.17%	0.16%
ChemedCHE	IYH +0.01 points	0.10%	0.09%
Globus Medical Class AGMED	IYH +0.01 points	0.13%	0.12%
Tenet Healthcare CorpTHC	IYH +0.01 points	0.32%	0.31%
Henry ScheinHSIC	IYH +0.01 points	0.12%	0.11%
SolventumSOLV	VHT +0.01 points	0.17%	0.18%
Arrowhead PharmaceuticalsARWR	IYH +0.01 points	0.12%	0.11%
Align TechnologyALGN	IYH +0.01 points	0.15%	0.14%
Tempus Ai Class ATEM	VHT +0.01 points	0.11%	0.12%
Madrigal PharmaceuticalsMDGL	Same weight	0.11%	0.11%
Universal Health Services Class BUHS	IYH +0.01 points	0.13%	0.12%
Incyte CorpINCY	Same weight	0.29%	0.29%
Bio TechneTECH	Same weight	0.16%	0.16%
Ionis PharmaceuticalsIONS	Same weight	0.10%	0.10%
Iqvia Holdings IncIQV	Same weight	0.63%	0.63%
BrukerBRKR	VHT +0.01 points	0.09%	0.10%
Boston ScientificBSX	VHT +0.01 points	0.90%	0.91%
Bio Rad Laboratories Class ABIO	IYH +0.01 points	0.10%	0.09%
Viking TherapeuticsVKTX	Same weight	0.05%	0.05%
Sotera Health CompanySHC	Same weight	0.07%	0.07%
OrganonOGN	Same weight	0.05%	0.05%
Baxter InternationalBAX	Same weight	0.17%	0.17%
Envista HoldingsNVST	IYH +0.01 points	0.06%	0.05%
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLCJAZZ	Same weight	0.19%	0.19%
Summit TherapeuticsSMMT	Same weight	0.03%	0.03%

All 100 IYH holdings⁠All 411 VHT holdings⁠

How we measure overlap

Each holding counts at its smaller weight in the two funds, summed over the full Holdings. Sector, country and asset class use the same rule on each fund’s split. Cash, FX and derivative lines stay out of the counts. Two bond funds get no overlap figure.

IYH vs VHT Cost

Overpaying IYH vs VHT

$5,615

On $10,000 over 30 years. 7% growth a year before fees, expense ratio only.

IYH 0.37%
$7,513
VHT 0.09%
$1,898

Amount$10,000

Years30 years

Cost over time

IYH 0.37%
VHT 0.09%
Overpaying

Year by year

Year	IYH	VHT	Overpaying
10	$670	$165	$505
20	$2,590	$646	$1,944
30	$7,513	$1,898	$5,615

Expense ratio

0.37%IYH
0.09%VHT, cheaper

VHT0.09%IYH0.37%

0.08%0.85%

Middle half of Health Care (Broad) funds
Median 0.50%

VHT 3rd cheapest of 25 funds

IYH 7th cheapest of 25 funds

IYH vs VHT Dividends

Last 12 months to Oct 30, 2026

Yield (12M): IYH 1.03%; VHT 1.35%, better
Payout (12M): IYH $0.80; VHT $4.61
Last payment: IYH $0.19; VHT $0.97
Ex-dividend: IYH Sep 15, 2026; VHT Sep 23, 2026
Paid on: IYH Sep 18, 2026; VHT Sep 25, 2026
Frequency: IYH Quarterly; VHT Quarterly

Distribution history

Per share, 2017 to 2026, same scale for both

IYHQuarterly · 40 paymentsAll IYH payments⁠

VHTQuarterly · 39 paymentsAll VHT payments⁠

IYH vs VHT Risk

Fall from peak · 5 years

Risk facts

VolatilityStd dev, 3 years: IYH 14.4%, betterVHT 14.5%
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years: IYH 0.78VHT 0.83, better
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years: IYH −17.9%VHT −17.7%, better
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years: IYH 0.57VHT 0.59; Market = 1

IYH and VHT in the news

All news⁠

Category Review
Health care funds trail the S&P 500 this year
Updated Oct 7, 2026IYHVHT
Deep Dive
Health care ETFs spent 2026 between a 28% biotech rally and a 16% device slide
Sep 14, 2026IYHVHT
Deep Dive
Eli Lilly is 15% of the biggest health care ETF
Sep 25, 2026VHT

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IYH vs VHT

In short

Stated mandate

Why people hold it

Worth knowing

How IYH and VHT differ

Level by level

Sector

Country, concentration and asset class

Country by domicile

Concentration

Asset class

Holdings

Only in IYH

Only in VHT

Weight gaps

Cost over time

Year by year

Distribution history

Fall from peak · 5 years

Risk facts

Health care funds trail the S&P 500 this year

Health care ETFs spent 2026 between a 28% biotech rally and a 16% device slide

Eli Lilly is 15% of the biggest health care ETF

How IYH and VHT differ

Level by level

Sector

Country, concentration and asset class

Country by domicile

Concentration

Asset class

Holdings

Only in IYH

Only in VHT

Weight gaps