ESGV vs. VFTAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) and VFTAX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard - ESGV tracks the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index while VFTAX tracks the FTSE US Choice Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGV returned 12.10%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for VFTAX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFTAX.

Performance

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESGV having a 9.39% return and VFTAX slightly higher at 9.67%.

ESGV

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 9.39%
• 6M: 8.78%
• 1Y: 26.60%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.10%
• 10Y*: —

VFTAX

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 27.09%
• 3Y*: 21.30%
• 5Y*: 13.28%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	9.39%	16.48%	24.69%	30.79%	-24.04%	26.55%	25.69%	21.39%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.67%	17.25%	25.97%	31.78%	-24.22%	27.70%	22.63%	23.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGV and VFTAX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.99

The correlation between ESGV and VFTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGV	VFTAX
Technology	43.0%	45.2%
Communication Services	12.2%	13.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	11.7%
Financial Services	11.4%	10.6%
Healthcare	9.5%	9.1%
Industrials	4.2%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.6%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.5%
Utilities	0.2%	0.1%
Energy	0.1%	0.0%

Return for Risk

ESGV vs. VFTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 55
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VFTAX

VFTAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VFTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VFTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VFTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VFTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VFTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). 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.

	ESGV	VFTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.91	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.59	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.26	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.65	9.36	+0.28

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGV Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the VFTAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGV and VFTAX, 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

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGV drawdown since its inception was -33.66%, roughly equal to the maximum VFTAX drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGV and VFTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGV	VFTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.66%	-34.20%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-11.84%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.41%	-20.18%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.81%	-29.12%	+0.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.09%	-1.79%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.40%	-6.25%	-0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.85%	-0.09%

Volatility

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) have volatilities of 5.40% and 5.59%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGV	VFTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	5.59%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.18%	11.29%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.08%	14.03%	+0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.47%	18.49%	-0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.60%	20.79%	-0.19%

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGV has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VFTAX's 0.14% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESGV vs. VFTAX - Dividend Comparison

ESGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than VFTAX's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.87%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.83%	0.85%	0.99%	1.10%	1.34%	0.94%	1.21%	1.43%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGV and VFTAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ESGV and VFTAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ESGV or VFTAX?

VFTAX has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to ESGV (5.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGV dropped -33.66% vs VFTAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.90), 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.