DWLD vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DWLD (Davis Select Worldwide ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DWLD is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Davis Advisers, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. DWLD is actively managed, while VEA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DWLD returned 8.09%/yr vs 9.60%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DWLD charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

DWLD vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Davis Select Worldwide ETF (DWLD) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWLD achieves a 2.89% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return.

DWLD

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 2.89%
• 6M: 5.82%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 21.79%
• 5Y*: 8.09%
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

DWLD vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DWLD Davis Select Worldwide ETF	2.89%	30.43%	24.34%	20.62%	-14.20%	-4.03%	22.73%	31.28%	-22.28%	30.10%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	22.72%

Correlation

The correlation between DWLD and VEA is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2017	0.80

The correlation between DWLD and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

DWLD vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DWLD	VEA
Consumer Cyclical	21.4%	7.5%
Financial Services	20.2%	23.3%
Technology	17.4%	13.8%
Communication Services	11.9%	3.4%
Healthcare	11.4%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	5.6%
Energy	5.8%	5.4%
Basic Materials	3.5%	7.5%
Industrials	0.8%	19.2%
Real Estate	-	2.7%
Utilities	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

DWLD vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWLD

DWLD Risk / Return Rank: 42
DWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
DWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 41
DWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
DWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

DWLD vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Davis Select Worldwide ETF (DWLD) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	DWLD	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.09	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.87	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.38	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	2.81	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.83	10.94	-4.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWLD vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWLD and VEA, 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

	DWLD	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.09	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.58	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.25	+0.28

Drawdowns

DWLD vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWLD drawdown since its inception was -39.27%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWLD and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWLD	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.27%	-60.68%	+21.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-11.63%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.01%	-13.45%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.75%	-29.71%	-7.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.70%	-0.90%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.35%	-13.29%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	2.98%	+0.28%

Volatility

DWLD vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Davis Select Worldwide ETF (DWLD) is 4.81%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that DWLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWLD	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	5.66%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.09%	13.32%	-2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.79%	15.66%	-0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.66%	16.55%	+4.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.22%	17.36%	+3.86%

DWLD vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWLD has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWLD vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

DWLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWLD Davis Select Worldwide ETF	1.52%	1.56%	1.45%	1.23%	0.75%	1.03%	0.24%	2.27%	4.11%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWLD and VEA in my portfolio?

DWLD and VEA have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWLD or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to DWLD (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWLD dropped -39.27% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, DWLD or VEA?

On 5-year performance, VEA leads with 9.60% vs 8.09% for DWLD. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, DWLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DWLD or VEA?

Over the 5-year period, VEA has performed better with a 9.60% return vs 8.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DWLD or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for DWLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DWLD or VEA?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 1.52% for DWLD.

What is the main difference between DWLD and VEA?

DWLD is categorized as Global Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Davis Advisers and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for DWLD and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.51), 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.