ARDC vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ARDC (Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.) is a stock, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, ARDC returned 8.32%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ARDC vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. (ARDC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARDC achieves a -1.07% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, ARDC has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 8.32%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.02% annualized return.

ARDC

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 6M: -0.45%
• 1Y: -2.63%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 4.85%
• 10Y*: 8.32%

VTI

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 24.78%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

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

ARDC vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARDC Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.	-1.07%	-3.10%	21.05%	32.35%	-22.21%	23.12%	2.56%	21.26%	-8.80%	17.63%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.62%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between ARDC and VTI is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 2012	0.38

Return for Risk

ARDC vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARDC

ARDC Risk / Return Rank: 31
ARDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
ARDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ARDC Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ARDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
ARDC Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

ARDC vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. (ARDC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ARDC	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.28	1.97	-2.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.33	2.67	-3.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.35	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	2.79	-2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.35	12.52	-12.87

ARDC vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARDC Sharpe Ratio is -0.28, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARDC and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ARDC vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARDC drawdown since its inception was -45.40%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARDC and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARDC	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.40%	-55.45%	+10.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.57%	-8.92%	-6.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.78%	-19.30%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.48%	-25.36%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.40%	-35.00%	-10.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.60%	-2.14%	-6.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.64%	-8.02%	+1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.51%	1.99%	+5.52%

Volatility

ARDC vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. (ARDC) is 2.42%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that ARDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARDC	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	4.50%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.13%	9.82%	-2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.47%	12.64%	-3.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	17.47%	-3.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	18.33%	-1.47%

ARDC vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARDC has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ARDC vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

ARDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.72%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARDC Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.	10.72%	10.19%	9.33%	9.85%	10.31%	7.16%	8.40%	8.40%	9.35%	7.58%	8.45%	10.51%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARDC and VTI in my portfolio?

ARDC and VTI have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARDC or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to ARDC (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARDC dropped -45.40% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs -0.28), 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.