HGER vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

HGER (Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HGER is a Commodities fund tracking the Quantix Commodity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HGER returned 19.99%/yr vs 18.65%/yr for VEA. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HGER charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

HGER vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HGER achieves a 24.74% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 12.02% return.

HGER

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -4.74%
• YTD: 24.74%
• 6M: 24.88%
• 1Y: 37.35%
• 3Y*: 19.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

HGER vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HGER Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF	24.74%	20.08%	9.25%	1.93%	9.77%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-13.27%

Correlation

The correlation between HGER and VEA is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2022	0.23

The correlation between HGER and VEA shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HGER vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HGER	VEA
Basic Materials	103.6%	7.5%
Communication Services	-	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.6%
Energy	-	5.4%
Financial Services	-	23.3%
Healthcare	-	8.2%
Industrials	-	19.2%
Real Estate	-	2.7%
Technology	-	13.8%
Utilities	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

HGER vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGER

HGER Risk / Return Rank: 78
HGER Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
HGER Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
HGER Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HGER Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
HGER Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

HGER vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	HGER	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.75	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.39	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.64	2.42	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.85	9.39	+5.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HGER vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGER Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGER and VEA, 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

	HGER	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	1.75	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.24	+0.62

Drawdowns

HGER vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGER drawdown since its inception was -23.31%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGER and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGER	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.31%	-60.68%	+37.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.09%	-11.63%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.84%	-13.45%	+4.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.50%	-3.40%	-4.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.65%	-13.29%	+5.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.00%	-0.48%

Volatility

HGER vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) is 4.49%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.03%. This indicates that HGER experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HGER	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	6.03%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.77%	13.91%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.09%	16.15%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	16.63%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	17.40%	+0.24%

HGER vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGER has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HGER vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

HGER's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, more than VEA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HGER Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF	5.68%	7.09%	3.28%	7.24%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGER and VEA in my portfolio?

HGER and VEA have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HGER or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to HGER (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGER dropped -23.31% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, HGER or VEA?

On 3-year performance, HGER leads with 19.99% vs 18.65% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, HGER has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HGER or VEA?

Over the 3-year period, HGER has performed better with a 19.99% return vs 18.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HGER or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for HGER.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HGER or VEA?

HGER has the higher dividend yield at 5.68%, compared with 2.69% for VEA.

What is the main difference between HGER and VEA?

HGER is categorized as Commodities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. HGER tracks Quantix Commodity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for HGER and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HGER currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.75), 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.