AWK vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) is a stock, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, AWK returned 7.12%/yr vs 24.06%/yr for VGT. Their 0.23 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

AWK vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWK achieves a 4.25% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 20.36% return. Over the past 10 years, AWK has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 7.12%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.06% annualized return.

AWK

• 1D: -1.93%
• 1M: -1.97%
• 6M: 5.36%
• YTD: 4.25%
• 1Y: -5.50%
• 3Y*: -0.08%
• 5Y*: -2.62%
• 10Y*: 7.12%
• ALL TIME*: 13.51%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	$350.60M	$305.70M	$284.77M
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M

AWK vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	4.25%	7.40%	-3.53%	-11.68%	-17.89%	24.83%	26.88%	37.79%	1.32%	29.01%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between AWK and VGT is -0.39, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.39
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.19
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.06
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2008	0.23

The correlation between AWK and VGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.39 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AWK vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AWK

AWK Risk / Return Rank: 38
AWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
AWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
AWK Omega Ratio Rank: 34
AWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
AWK Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AWK vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	AWK	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.08	1.31	-1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.05	1.82	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.23	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.12	1.94	-2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.20	5.23	-5.43

AWK vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWK Sharpe Ratio is -0.08, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWK and VGT, 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

AWK vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWK drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWK and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWK	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-54.63%	+17.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.45%	-16.40%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.99%	-27.23%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-35.07%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.10%	-35.07%	-2.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.67%	-9.93%	-11.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-7.95%	-1.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.86%	6.07%	+2.79%

Volatility

AWK vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) have volatilities of 8.37% and 8.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWK	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	8.42%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.93%	20.14%	-3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.74%	24.28%	-1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.04%	25.83%	-2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.83%	24.89%	-1.06%

Dividends

AWK vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

AWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	2.52%	2.49%	2.41%	2.10%	1.68%	1.25%	1.40%	1.59%	1.96%	1.77%	2.02%	2.23%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWK and VGT in my portfolio?

AWK and VGT 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, AWK or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to AWK (8.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWK dropped -37.10% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs -0.08), 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.