ESGV vs. VFTNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) and VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both funds - ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index, while VFTNX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the FTSE4Good US Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGV returned 12.64%/yr vs 13.86%/yr for VFTNX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ESGV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VFTNX.

Performance

ESGV vs. VFTNX - 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 Institutional Shares (VFTNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGV achieves a 10.74% return, which is significantly lower than VFTNX's 11.69% return.

ESGV

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 6.08%
• YTD: 10.74%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.27%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: —

VFTNX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 29.37%
• 3Y*: 23.29%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 16.22%

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

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	10.74%	16.48%	24.69%	30.79%	-24.04%	26.55%	25.69%	33.36%	-14.59%
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.69%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-13.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGV and VFTNX 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 Sep 21, 2018	0.99

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

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGV	VFTNX
Technology	39.5%	41.6%
Communication Services	13.0%	14.1%
Financial Services	12.3%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	12.2%
Healthcare	9.8%	9.5%
Industrials	4.5%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	3.9%
Real Estate	2.8%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.6%
Utilities	0.2%	0.1%
Energy	0.1%	0.0%

Return for Risk

ESGV vs. VFTNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 58
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. VFTNX - 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 Institutional Shares (VFTNX). 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.

	ESGV	VFTNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.28	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.10	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.41	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.56	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	10.87	-0.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGV Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the VFTNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGV and VFTNX, 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

	ESGV	VFTNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.28	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.76	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.38	+0.34

Drawdowns

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGV drawdown since its inception was -33.66%, smaller than the maximum VFTNX drawdown of -64.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGV and VFTNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGV	VFTNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.66%	-64.04%	+30.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-11.83%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.41%	-20.18%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.81%	-29.11%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	0.00%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.43%	-15.70%	+9.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	2.78%	-0.08%

Volatility

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) have volatilities of 3.37% and 3.26%, 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	VFTNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.37%	3.26%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.18%	10.14%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.35%	13.28%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	18.36%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.58%	19.07%	+1.51%

ESGV vs. VFTNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGV has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VFTNX's 0.12% 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. VFTNX - Dividend Comparison

ESGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, more than VFTNX's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.85%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.84%	0.90%	1.01%	1.12%	1.37%	0.95%	1.23%	1.46%	1.81%	1.49%	1.82%	1.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGV and VFTNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ESGV and VFTNX 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 VFTNX?

ESGV has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to VFTNX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGV dropped -33.66% vs VFTNX's -64.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.11), 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.