ATER vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ATER (Aterian, Inc.) is a stock, while VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, ATER returned -64.89%/yr vs 11.15%/yr for VTWAX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ATER vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aterian, Inc. (ATER) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ATER achieves a 53.85% return, which is significantly higher than VTWAX's 12.73% return.

ATER

• 1D: -6.14%
• 1M: 1.90%
• YTD: 53.85%
• 6M: 41.35%
• 1Y: -26.71%
• 3Y*: -47.48%
• 5Y*: -64.89%
• 10Y*: —

VTWAX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.89%
• YTD: 12.73%
• 6M: 14.08%
• 1Y: 30.13%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

ATER vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ATER Aterian, Inc.	53.85%	-71.02%	-42.61%	-54.76%	-81.26%	-76.12%	192.19%	-41.10%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.73%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	11.65%

Correlation

The correlation between ATER and VTWAX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2019	0.31

Return for Risk

ATER vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ATER

ATER Risk / Return Rank: 31
ATER Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
ATER Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ATER Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ATER Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
ATER Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX 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.

ATER vs. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aterian, Inc. (ATER) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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.

	ATER	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.26	2.51	-2.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.28	3.44	-3.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.46	-0.42
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.45	3.20	-3.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.66	14.34	-15.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ATER vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ATER Sharpe Ratio is -0.26, which is lower than the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ATER and VTWAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ATER	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26	2.51	-2.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.58	0.71	-1.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.45	0.77	-1.22

Drawdowns

ATER vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ATER drawdown since its inception was -99.91%, which is greater than VTWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ATER and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ATER	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.91%	-34.20%	-65.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.29%	-9.64%	-57.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-93.58%	-16.43%	-77.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.77%	-26.40%	-73.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.81%	0.00%	-99.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-79.07%	-5.31%	-73.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	45.79%	2.15%	+43.64%

Volatility

ATER vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

Aterian, Inc. (ATER) has a higher volatility of 33.38% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) at 3.55%. This indicates that ATER's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ATER	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	33.38%	3.55%	+29.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	78.18%	9.82%	+68.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	103.55%	12.39%	+91.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	111.86%	15.71%	+96.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	109.59%	18.21%	+91.38%

Dividends

ATER vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

ATER has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ATER Aterian, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.56%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ATER and VTWAX in my portfolio?

ATER and VTWAX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ATER or VTWAX?

ATER has higher volatility (33.38%) compared to VTWAX (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ATER dropped -99.91% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs -0.26), 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.