METL vs. VDC

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - METL is a Natural Resources fund actively managed by Sprott, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. METL is actively managed, while VDC is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. METL charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

METL vs. VDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, METL achieves a -6.10% return, which is significantly lower than VDC's 9.80% return.

METL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -15.36%
• 6M: -19.31%
• YTD: -6.10%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

VDC

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 3.84%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 1Y: 7.27%
• 3Y*: 7.55%
• 5Y*: 7.07%
• 10Y*: 7.53%
• ALL TIME*: 9.43%

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

METL vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	-6.10%	28.19%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	9.80%	-3.10%

Correlation

The correlation between METL and VDC is -0.08, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2025	-0.08

Return for Risk

METL vs. VDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

METL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 21
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

METL vs. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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.

	METL	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.55	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.89	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.10	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.79	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.50	—

Drawdowns

METL vs. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METL drawdown since its inception was -28.80%, smaller than the maximum VDC drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METL and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	METL	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.80%	-34.24%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.28%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.78%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.55%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.80%	-5.02%	-23.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.00%	-3.74%	-6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.87%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	METL	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.38%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.86%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.16%	13.39%	+30.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.16%	13.35%	+30.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.16%	14.73%	+29.43%

METL vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

METL has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

METL vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

METL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than VDC's 2.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	1.06%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.09%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both METL and VDC in my portfolio?

METL and VDC have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, METL or VDC?

On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, METL or VDC?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, METL or VDC?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.09%, compared with 1.06% for METL.

What is the main difference between METL and VDC?

METL is categorized as Natural Resources, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for METL and 0.09% for VDC.