HARD vs. VT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HARD (Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HARD is a Commodities fund actively managed by Simplify, while VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. HARD is actively managed, while VT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HARD returned 13.00%/yr vs 20.93%/yr for VT. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HARD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.

Performance

HARD vs. VT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF (HARD) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HARD achieves a 14.81% return, which is significantly higher than VT's 12.24% return.

HARD

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -9.01%
• YTD: 14.81%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: 24.26%
• 3Y*: 13.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VT

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 6M: 13.14%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

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

HARD vs. VT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HARD Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF	14.81%	12.19%	20.48%	-5.04%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.24%	22.43%	16.49%	17.35%

Correlation

The correlation between HARD and VT is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2023	0.07

The correlation between HARD and VT shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.08 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HARD vs. VT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HARD	VT
Financial Services	26.7%	15.9%
Basic Materials	-	4.2%
Communication Services	-	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	4.3%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Industrials	-	12.0%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Technology	-	27.8%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

HARD vs. VT — Risk / Return Rank

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

HARD

HARD Risk / Return Rank: 29
HARD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
HARD Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
HARD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
HARD Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
HARD Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 67
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

HARD vs. VT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF (HARD) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). 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.

	HARD	VT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	2.31	-1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	3.20	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.42	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	3.04	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	13.53	-9.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HARD vs. VT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HARD Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the VT Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HARD and VT, 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

	HARD	VT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	2.31	-1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.44	+0.25

Drawdowns

HARD vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HARD drawdown since its inception was -13.51%, smaller than the maximum VT drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HARD and VT.

Drawdown Indicators

	HARD	VT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.51%	-50.27%	+36.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-9.67%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.51%	-16.51%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.38%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.38%	-0.88%	-9.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-7.02%	+1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.39%	2.17%	+3.22%

Volatility

HARD vs. VT - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF (HARD) has a higher volatility of 8.11% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) at 3.83%. This indicates that HARD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HARD	VT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.11%	3.83%	+4.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.64%	10.17%	+11.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.47%	12.70%	+13.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.09%	16.05%	+3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	17.23%	+1.86%

HARD vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison

HARD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VT's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

HARD vs. VT - Dividend Comparison

HARD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than VT's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HARD Simplify Commodities Strategy No K-1 ETF	2.61%	2.36%	3.51%	1.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.59%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HARD and VT in my portfolio?

HARD and VT have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HARD or VT?

HARD has higher volatility (8.11%) compared to VT (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HARD dropped -13.51% vs VT's -50.27%.

Which ETF is better, HARD or VT?

On 3-year performance, VT leads with 20.93% vs 13.00% for HARD. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VT has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HARD or VT?

Over the 3-year period, VT has performed better with a 20.93% return vs 13.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HARD or VT?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for HARD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HARD or VT?

HARD has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 1.59% for VT.

What is the main difference between HARD and VT?

HARD is categorized as Commodities, while VT is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for HARD and 0.06% for VT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.92), 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.