Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) belongs to the Materials category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VAW. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VAW
VAW charges 0.09% annually. There is 1 ETF in the Materials category with a lower expense ratio, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 0.08% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | VAW vs FMAT | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | VAW vs XLB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 0.29% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | VAW vs PSCM | |
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 0.35% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | VAW vs XLBI | |
| SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.35% | 4.09B | Jun 2006 | VAW vs XME |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VAW
VAW has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 28. There are 11 ETFs in the Materials category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 69.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 69 | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | VAW vs SLX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | 58 | 2.16B | Jan 2012 | VAW vs PICK | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 51 | 375.65M | May 2007 | VAW vs FXZ | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 51 | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | VAW vs PSCM | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | 43 | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | VAW vs IYM |
Top Performing VAW Alternatives (YTD)
VAW is at 9.58% YTD. There are 9 ETFs in the Materials category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 18.17%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Vectors Steel ETF | 18.17% | 158.61M | Oct 2006 | VAW vs SLX | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 17.63% | 375.65M | May 2007 | VAW vs FXZ | |
| WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF | 16.74% | — | Jul 2025 | VAW vs DVXB | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Materials ETF | 16.72% | 19.51M | Apr 2010 | VAW vs PSCM | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 14.77% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | VAW vs RSPM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VAW
VAW has 18.52% 1-year volatility. There are 3 ETFs in the Materials category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.86%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR Premium ... | 13.86% | 7.25M | Jul 2025 | VAW vs XLBI | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 17.51% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | VAW vs XLB | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | 18.50% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | VAW vs FMAT | |
| iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | 18.70% | 251.18M | Jun 2008 | VAW vs WOOD | |
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | 18.72% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | VAW vs RSPM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VAW
VAW has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.42%. There are 3 ETFs in the Materials category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.32%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF | -12.32% | 175.45M | Nov 2006 | VAW vs RSPM | |
| Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | -12.38% | 8.30B | Dec 1998 | VAW vs XLB | |
| First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | -12.75% | 375.65M | May 2007 | VAW vs FXZ | |
| Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF | -13.48% | 623.54M | Oct 2013 | VAW vs FMAT | |
| iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF | -13.61% | 1.21B | Jun 2000 | VAW vs IYM |
Other ETFs from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard ETFs shown here include VOO, VTI, VGT and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.72% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VAW vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 66 | 11.20% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VAW vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 50 | 21.52% | 170.10B | Mar 2004 | VAW vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 56 | 12.04% | 652.30B | Jan 2011 | VAW vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 30 | 6.69% | 393.80B | Jan 2004 | VAW vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.34% | 95.30B | Jun 2008 | VAW vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 85 | 13.43% | 96.10B | Nov 2006 | VAW vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 36 | 0.26% | 394.40B | Apr 2007 | VAW vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 68 | 9.70% | 127.80B | Apr 2006 | VAW vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 91 | 15.79% | 245.00B | Jan 2004 | VAW vs VTV |
Often Compared With VAW
Investors most often compare VAW with PAVE, DBC, VDE. These 20 comparison targets span 16 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VAW with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VAW with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VAW with funds that move differently
Vanguard Materials ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VAW.
Explore VAW Diversifiers