CAT vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) is a stock, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, CAT returned 33.19%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

CAT vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAT achieves a 79.21% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 9.75% return. Over the past 10 years, CAT has outperformed VOO with an annualized return of 33.19%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively lower 15.77% annualized return.

CAT

• 1D: 3.70%
• 1M: 16.18%
• YTD: 79.21%
• 6M: 76.27%
• 1Y: 186.63%
• 3Y*: 65.85%
• 5Y*: 39.22%
• 10Y*: 33.19%

VOO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.75%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 15.77%

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

CAT vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	79.21%	60.30%	24.66%	25.95%	18.60%	15.95%	26.97%	19.51%	-17.56%	75.03%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.75%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between CAT and VOO is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.64

The correlation between CAT and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CAT vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAT

CAT Risk / Return Rank: 99
CAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
CAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
CAT Omega Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CAT Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

CAT vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	CAT	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.30	2.17	+3.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.65	2.93	+2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	1.39	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.53	3.02	+10.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	44.33	13.58	+30.75

CAT vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAT Sharpe Ratio is 5.30, which is higher than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAT and VOO, 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

CAT vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAT drawdown since its inception was -73.43%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAT and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAT	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.43%	-33.99%	-39.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-8.90%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.05%	-18.69%	-15.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-24.52%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.36%	-33.99%	-9.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.74%	+1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.72%	-3.68%	-16.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	1.98%	+2.25%

Volatility

CAT vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a higher volatility of 12.90% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 4.60%. This indicates that CAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAT	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.90%	4.60%	+8.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.80%	9.73%	+18.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.49%	12.39%	+23.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.84%	16.90%	+13.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.03%	18.05%	+12.98%

Dividends

CAT vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

CAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, less than VOO's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	0.59%	1.02%	1.49%	1.69%	1.93%	2.07%	2.26%	2.56%	2.58%	1.97%	3.32%	4.33%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAT and VOO in my portfolio?

CAT and VOO have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAT or VOO?

CAT has higher volatility (12.90%) compared to VOO (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAT dropped -73.43% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.30 vs 2.17), 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.