EQL vs. VDC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EQL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EQL returned 12.47%/yr vs 7.59%/yr for VDC. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EQL charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

EQL vs. VDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQL achieves a 8.83% return, which is significantly higher than VDC's 5.75% return. Over the past 10 years, EQL has outperformed VDC with an annualized return of 12.47%, while VDC has yielded a comparatively lower 7.59% annualized return.

EQL

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 8.83%
• 6M: 9.12%
• 1Y: 18.80%
• 3Y*: 16.48%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 12.47%

VDC

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: -3.32%
• YTD: 5.75%
• 6M: 4.31%
• 1Y: 1.24%
• 3Y*: 7.43%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

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

EQL vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	8.83%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	-10.72%	29.32%	10.87%	27.87%	-6.12%	18.37%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	5.75%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%

Correlation

The correlation between EQL and VDC is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2009	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between EQL and VDC has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EQL vs. VDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EQL	VDC
Technology	10.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	1.8%
Real Estate	9.3%	-
Communication Services	8.9%	-
Utilities	8.9%	-
Financial Services	8.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	97.5%
Industrials	8.7%	0.3%
Energy	8.6%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	0.0%
Basic Materials	8.2%	0.3%

Return for Risk

EQL vs. VDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 60
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 9
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

EQL vs. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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.

	EQL	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	0.10	+1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	0.23	+2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.03	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	0.13	+2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.93	0.28	+11.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EQL vs. VDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQL Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the VDC Sharpe Ratio of 0.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQL and VDC, 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

	EQL	VDC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	0.10	+1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.46	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.52	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.66	+0.19

Drawdowns

EQL vs. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQL drawdown since its inception was -35.65%, roughly equal to the maximum VDC drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQL and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQL	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.65%	-34.24%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.19%	-9.28%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.07%	-11.78%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.24%	-16.55%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.65%	-25.31%	-10.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-8.52%	+7.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-3.73%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	4.49%	-2.91%

Volatility

EQL vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) is 2.21%, while Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that EQL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQL	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	4.09%	-1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.82%	9.76%	-2.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.34%	12.36%	-3.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.55%	13.13%	+1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.54%	14.64%	+1.90%

EQL vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQL has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EQL vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

EQL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than VDC's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.62%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.17%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQL and VDC in my portfolio?

EQL and VDC have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EQL or VDC?

VDC has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to EQL (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQL dropped -35.65% vs VDC's -34.24%.

Which ETF is better, EQL or VDC?

On 10-year performance, EQL leads with 12.47% vs 7.59% for VDC. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EQL or VDC?

Over the 10-year period, EQL has performed better with a 12.47% return vs 7.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EQL or VDC?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for EQL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EQL or VDC?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.17%, compared with 1.62% for EQL.

What is the main difference between EQL and VDC?

EQL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. EQL tracks NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for EQL and 0.09% for VDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.10), 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.