Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) belongs to the Consumer Staples Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VDC. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VDC
VDC charges 0.09% annually. There are 2 ETFs in the Consumer Staples Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 0.08% | 1.39B | Oct 2013 | VDC vs FSTA | |
| State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR E... | 0.08% | 14.95B | Dec 1998 | VDC vs XLP | |
| VanEck Consumer Staples TruSector ETF | 0.14% | 256.53K | Jun 2026 | VDC vs TRUO | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF | 0.25% | — | Jul 2025 | VDC vs GXPS | |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Consumer Staples ETF | 0.29% | 38.73M | Apr 2010 | VDC vs PSCC |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VDC
VDC has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 27. There are 4 ETFs in the Consumer Staples Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 33.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF | 33 | 1.42B | Jun 2000 | VDC vs IYK | |
| iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | 32 | 1.07B | Sep 2006 | VDC vs KXI | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF | 30 | — | Jul 2025 | VDC vs GXPS | |
| State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR E... | 27 | 14.95B | Dec 1998 | VDC vs XLP | |
| Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 27 | 1.39B | Oct 2013 | VDC vs FSTA |
Top Performing VDC Alternatives (YTD)
VDC is at 10.27% YTD. There are 8 ETFs in the Consumer Staples Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 19.62%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Consumer Staples ETF | 19.62% | 38.73M | Apr 2010 | VDC vs PSCC | |
| WEBs Consumer Staples XLP Defined Volatility ETF | 15.21% | — | Jul 2025 | VDC vs DVXP | |
| Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF | 14.47% | 84.71M | Oct 2006 | VDC vs PSL | |
| iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF | 12.81% | 1.42B | Jun 2000 | VDC vs IYK | |
| State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR E... | 10.87% | 14.95B | Dec 1998 | VDC vs XLP |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VDC
VDC has 13.79% 1-year volatility. There are 3 ETFs in the Consumer Staples Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 13.06%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | 13.06% | 1.07B | Sep 2006 | VDC vs KXI | |
| Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF | 13.08% | 107.76M | Jun 2005 | VDC vs PBJ | |
| Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF | 13.66% | 84.71M | Oct 2006 | VDC vs PSL | |
| Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 13.81% | 1.39B | Oct 2013 | VDC vs FSTA | |
| iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF | 13.86% | 1.42B | Jun 2000 | VDC vs IYK |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VDC
VDC has a 1-year max drawdown of -9.28%. There is 1 ETF in the Consumer Staples Equities category with a shallower 1-year drawdown, going as shallow as -9.20%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF | -9.20% | — | Jul 2025 | VDC vs GXPS | |
| Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | -9.29% | 1.39B | Oct 2013 | VDC vs FSTA | |
| State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR E... | -9.69% | 14.95B | Dec 1998 | VDC vs XLP | |
| First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF | -10.14% | 24.03M | Sep 2016 | VDC vs FTXG | |
| iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | -10.24% | 1.07B | Sep 2006 | VDC vs KXI |
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 | 68 | 10.16% | 1.70T | Sep 2010 | VDC vs VOO | |
| Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 67 | 10.49% | 2.30T | May 2001 | VDC vs VTI | |
| Vanguard Information Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 52 | 20.36% | 169.20B | Mar 2004 | VDC vs VGT | |
| Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 12.75% | 651.00B | Jan 2011 | VDC vs VXUS | |
| Vanguard Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 28 | 5.02% | 378.80B | Jan 2004 | VDC vs VUG | |
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | Global Equities | 70 | 11.15% | 97.00B | Jun 2008 | VDC vs VT | |
| Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Dividend | 90 | 14.21% | 96.20B | Nov 2006 | VDC vs VYM | |
| Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Total Bond Market | 29 | -0.54% | 398.10B | Apr 2007 | VDC vs BND | |
| Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Dividend | 75 | 9.71% | 129.60B | Apr 2006 | VDC vs VIG | |
| Vanguard Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 93 | 16.37% | 254.20B | Jan 2004 | VDC vs VTV |
Often Compared With VDC
Investors most often compare VDC with VCR, XST.TO, QQQ. These 20 comparison targets span 14 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VDC with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VDC with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VDC with funds that move differently
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VDC.
Explore VDC Diversifiers