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CET vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

CET vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Central Securities Corp. (CET) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CET achieves a 4.87% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, CET has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 16.62%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.02% annualized return.


CET

1D
1.30%
1M
-0.13%
YTD
4.87%
6M
5.08%
1Y
19.87%
3Y*
19.61%
5Y*
11.50%
10Y*
16.62%

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
-0.28%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
26.27%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CET vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
CET
Central Securities Corp.
4.87%17.20%26.82%19.17%-19.68%49.00%4.99%38.61%-4.49%30.61%
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 CET and VTI is 0.74, 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

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.75

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.78

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001

0.73

The correlation between CET and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

CET vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

CET
CET Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
CET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CET Sortino Ratio Rank: 8080
Sortino Ratio Rank
CET Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
CET Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
CET Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
Martin Ratio Rank

VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

CET vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Central Securities Corp. (CET) 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.


CETVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-0.42

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-0.47

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.35

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.22

2.79

-0.57

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.98

12.52

-3.54

CET vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CET Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CET 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.


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Drawdowns

CET vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CET drawdown since its inception was -56.69%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CET and VTI.


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Drawdown Indicators


CETVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.69%

-55.45%

-1.24%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.08%

-8.92%

+0.84%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.42%

-19.30%

+3.88%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.89%

-25.36%

+0.47%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.91%

-35.00%

-4.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.65%

-2.14%

+0.49%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.16%

-8.02%

-2.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.00%

1.99%

+0.01%

Volatility

CET vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Central Securities Corp. (CET) is 3.75%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that CET 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.


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Volatility by Period


CETVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.75%

4.50%

-0.75%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.05%

9.82%

-0.77%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.66%

12.64%

-0.98%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.56%

17.47%

-2.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.65%

18.33%

-1.68%

Dividends

CET vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

CET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.08%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
CET
Central Securities Corp.
5.08%5.32%4.92%4.90%7.34%8.41%5.68%3.78%5.84%3.65%4.50%10.41%
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


CET and VTI have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to CET (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CET dropped -56.69% vs VTI's -55.45%.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.55), 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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