DNP vs. VTSMX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DNP (DNP Select Income Fund Inc.) is a stock, while VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, DNP returned 7.98%/yr vs 14.88%/yr for VTSMX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DNP vs. VTSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (DNP) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DNP having a 10.90% return and VTSMX slightly lower at 10.70%. Over the past 10 years, DNP has underperformed VTSMX with an annualized return of 7.98%, while VTSMX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.88% annualized return.

DNP

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 10.90%
• 6M: 12.06%
• 1Y: 20.03%
• 3Y*: 10.65%
• 5Y*: 8.55%
• 10Y*: 7.98%

VTSMX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 27.47%
• 3Y*: 20.31%
• 5Y*: 12.63%
• 10Y*: 14.88%

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

DNP vs. VTSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DNP DNP Select Income Fund Inc.	10.90%	22.61%	13.36%	-18.56%	10.96%	14.05%	-13.67%	31.00%	3.53%	13.29%
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	10.70%	16.63%	22.76%	26.38%	-19.60%	25.59%	20.87%	30.63%	-5.27%	21.05%

Correlation

The correlation between DNP and VTSMX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 1992	0.24

The correlation between DNP and VTSMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (all time) to 0.36 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DNP vs. VTSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DNP

DNP Risk / Return Rank: 88
DNP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DNP Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DNP Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DNP Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DNP Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VTSMX

VTSMX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VTSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VTSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DNP vs. VTSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (DNP) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX). 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.

	DNP	VTSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.13	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.89	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.38	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	3.06	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.14	13.72	-0.57

DNP vs. VTSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DNP Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VTSMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DNP and VTSMX, 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

DNP vs. VTSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DNP drawdown since its inception was -48.49%, smaller than the maximum VTSMX drawdown of -55.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DNP and VTSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DNP	VTSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.49%	-55.38%	+6.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.42%	-8.93%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.29%	-19.63%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.31%	-25.43%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.56%	-34.98%	-4.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-1.13%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.52%	-8.89%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.99%	-0.46%

Volatility

DNP vs. VTSMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (DNP) is 2.93%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that DNP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTSMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DNP	VTSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	4.88%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.92%	10.11%	-2.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.87%	12.81%	-2.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.50%	17.46%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.14%	18.45%	-1.31%

Dividends

DNP vs. VTSMX - Dividend Comparison

DNP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.26%, more than VTSMX's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DNP DNP Select Income Fund Inc.	7.26%	7.81%	8.84%	9.20%	6.93%	7.18%	7.60%	6.11%	7.50%	7.22%	7.62%	8.71%
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	0.94%	0.75%	0.89%	1.33%	1.54%	1.11%	1.33%	1.67%	1.92%	1.61%	1.83%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DNP and VTSMX in my portfolio?

DNP and VTSMX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DNP or VTSMX?

VTSMX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to DNP (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DNP dropped -48.49% vs VTSMX's -55.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 2.04), 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.