DWGAX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DWGAX (American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - DWGAX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by American Funds, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, DWGAX returned 8.30%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for VTI. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DWGAX charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

DWGAX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWGAX achieves a 20.87% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, DWGAX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 8.30%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.13% annualized return.

DWGAX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 8.46%
• YTD: 20.87%
• 6M: 22.18%
• 1Y: 45.70%
• 3Y*: 20.64%
• 5Y*: 5.72%
• 10Y*: 8.30%

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

DWGAX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DWGAX American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund	20.87%	34.25%	3.57%	11.28%	-23.47%	0.50%	12.07%	23.50%	-14.90%	27.69%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between DWGAX and VTI 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	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2014	0.67

The correlation between DWGAX and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DWGAX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWGAX

DWGAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
DWGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DWGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
DWGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DWGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DWGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DWGAX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) 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.

	DWGAX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	2.48	+0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.04	3.37	+0.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.45	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	3.44	-0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	15.88	-2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWGAX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWGAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWGAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DWGAX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.03	2.48	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.75	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.83	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.51	-0.15

Drawdowns

DWGAX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWGAX drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWGAX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWGAX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-55.45%	+16.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.26%	-8.92%	-4.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-19.30%	+4.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.35%	-25.36%	-12.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	-35.00%	-3.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.93%	-8.03%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	1.93%	+1.52%

Volatility

DWGAX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) has a higher volatility of 6.26% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that DWGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWGAX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.26%	2.86%	+3.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	9.11%	+3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.39%	12.15%	+3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	17.40%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.47%	18.30%	-1.83%

DWGAX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWGAX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWGAX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

DWGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWGAX American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund	1.66%	1.87%	1.12%	1.63%	1.09%	1.01%	1.46%	1.81%	2.28%	2.02%	2.01%	2.05%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	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

Can I hold both DWGAX and VTI in my portfolio?

DWGAX and VTI 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, DWGAX or VTI?

DWGAX has higher volatility (6.26%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWGAX dropped -38.71% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DWGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 2.48), 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.