CARZ vs. VCR
CARZ (First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund) and VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both Consumer Discretionary Equities funds - CARZ tracks the NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR) while VCR tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CARZ returned 16.27%/yr vs 13.68%/yr for VCR. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CARZ charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCR.
Performance
CARZ vs. VCR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CARZ achieves a 45.91% return, which is significantly higher than VCR's -2.41% return. Over the past 10 years, CARZ has outperformed VCR with an annualized return of 16.27%, while VCR has yielded a comparatively lower 13.68% annualized return.
CARZ
- 1D
- -6.26%
- 1M
- -0.36%
- YTD
- 45.91%
- 6M
- 45.04%
- 1Y
- 96.22%
- 3Y*
- 30.25%
- 5Y*
- 14.87%
- 10Y*
- 16.27%
VCR
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -2.81%
- YTD
- -2.41%
- 6M
- -4.50%
- 1Y
- 8.02%
- 3Y*
- 12.53%
- 5Y*
- 5.14%
- 10Y*
- 13.68%
CARZ vs. VCR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund | 45.91% | 37.18% | 3.26% | 42.47% | -31.25% | 18.09% | 54.66% | 11.39% | -23.91% | 25.47% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | -2.41% | 5.77% | 24.27% | 40.38% | -35.15% | 24.86% | 48.36% | 27.45% | -2.31% | 22.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between CARZ and VCR is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2011 | 0.68 |
The correlation between CARZ and VCR shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
CARZ vs. VCR — Risk / Return Rank
CARZ
VCR
CARZ vs. VCR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). 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.
| CARZ | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.53 | 1.09 | +0.44 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.70 | 0.52 | +6.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 24.83 | 1.57 | +23.26 |
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Drawdowns
CARZ vs. VCR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CARZ drawdown since its inception was -51.20%, smaller than the maximum VCR drawdown of -61.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CARZ and VCR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CARZ | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.20% | -61.54% | +10.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.44% | -15.59% | +1.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.84% | -27.36% | -0.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.30% | -39.20% | -1.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.20% | -39.20% | -12.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.71% | -6.85% | -0.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.87% | -9.39% | -3.48% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.89% | 5.11% | -1.22% |
Volatility
CARZ vs. VCR - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) has a higher volatility of 16.09% compared to Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) at 6.34%. This indicates that CARZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CARZ | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.09% | 6.34% | +9.75% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.90% | 13.88% | +11.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.42% | 18.86% | +10.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.81% | 24.10% | +4.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.54% | 22.44% | +4.10% |
CARZ vs. VCR - Expense Ratio Comparison
CARZ has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VCR's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
CARZ vs. VCR - Dividend Comparison
CARZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, more than VCR's 0.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund | 1.46% | 2.13% | 1.17% | 1.40% | 1.59% | 2.25% | 0.63% | 3.23% | 2.85% | 2.11% | 2.47% | 1.64% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.75% | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.84% | 0.98% | 0.79% | 1.71% | 1.17% | 1.37% | 1.21% | 1.60% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CARZ and VCR have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CARZ has higher volatility (16.09%) compared to VCR (6.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CARZ dropped -51.20% vs VCR's -61.54%.
On 10-year performance, CARZ leads with 16.27% vs 13.68% for VCR. On fees, VCR is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VCR has been the lower-risk option at 6.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, CARZ has performed better with a 16.27% return vs 13.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCR is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for CARZ.
CARZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.75% for VCR.
CARZ tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while VCR tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for CARZ and 0.10% for VCR.
CARZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.29 vs 0.43), 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.
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