GOOGL vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GOOGL (Alphabet Inc. Class A) is a stock, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, GOOGL returned 25.76%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GOOGL vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) 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, GOOGL achieves a 15.06% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, GOOGL has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 25.76%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.02% annualized return.

GOOGL

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -10.61%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 105.30%
• 3Y*: 43.10%
• 5Y*: 24.46%
• 10Y*: 25.76%

VTI

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 24.78%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

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

GOOGL vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A	15.06%	65.99%	36.01%	58.32%	-39.09%	65.30%	30.85%	28.18%	-0.80%	32.93%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.62%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between GOOGL 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	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2004	0.61

The correlation between GOOGL and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.67 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GOOGL vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOOGL

GOOGL Risk / Return Rank: 96
GOOGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
GOOGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GOOGL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GOOGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GOOGL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

GOOGL vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) 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.

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.

	GOOGL	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.62	1.97	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.92	2.67	+2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.35	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.20	2.79	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.48	12.52	+5.96

GOOGL vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOOGL Sharpe Ratio is 3.62, which is higher than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOOGL 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.

Drawdowns

GOOGL vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOOGL drawdown since its inception was -65.29%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOOGL and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOOGL	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.29%	-55.45%	-9.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.37%	-8.92%	-11.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.81%	-19.30%	-10.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.32%	-25.36%	-18.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.32%	-35.00%	-9.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.61%	-2.14%	-8.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.01%	-8.02%	-4.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.72%	1.99%	+3.73%

Volatility

GOOGL vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL) has a higher volatility of 7.24% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.50%. This indicates that GOOGL'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

	GOOGL	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.24%	4.50%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.82%	9.82%	+11.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.31%	12.64%	+16.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.33%	17.47%	+13.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.13%	18.33%	+10.80%

Dividends

GOOGL vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

GOOGL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than VTI's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A	0.24%	0.27%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	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 GOOGL and VTI in my portfolio?

GOOGL 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, GOOGL or VTI?

GOOGL has higher volatility (7.24%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOOGL dropped -65.29% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GOOGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.62 vs 1.97), 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.