PAVE vs. VAW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PAVE (Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PAVE is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index, while VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAVE returned 17.29%/yr vs 5.91%/yr for VAW. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAVE charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VAW.

Performance

PAVE vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAVE achieves a 19.04% return, which is significantly higher than VAW's 13.44% return.

PAVE

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 6M: 19.47%
• 1Y: 38.20%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.29%
• 10Y*: —

VAW

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 13.44%
• 6M: 17.54%
• 1Y: 24.37%
• 3Y*: 12.55%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

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

PAVE vs. VAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	19.04%	19.36%	17.92%	31.01%	-7.17%	36.42%	19.72%	33.26%	-19.15%	14.11%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	13.44%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	17.88%

Correlation

The correlation between PAVE and VAW is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2017	0.88

The correlation between PAVE and VAW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

PAVE vs. VAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PAVE	VAW
Industrials	74.8%	1.0%
Basic Materials	20.3%	90.2%
Utilities	3.2%	-
Technology	1.1%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	0.3%	0.0%
Energy	0.2%	0.5%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.3%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

PAVE vs. VAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAVE

PAVE Risk / Return Rank: 61
PAVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PAVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
PAVE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PAVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PAVE Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 38
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

PAVE vs. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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.

	PAVE	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.39	+0.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	1.98	+0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.24	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	1.86	+1.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.84	6.13	+5.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAVE vs. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAVE Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is higher than the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAVE and VAW, 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

	PAVE	VAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.39	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.30	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.39	+0.28

Drawdowns

PAVE vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAVE drawdown since its inception was -44.08%, smaller than the maximum VAW drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAVE and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAVE	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.08%	-62.17%	+18.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.91%	-13.42%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.23%	-23.21%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.23%	-25.50%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.50%	-3.56%	+1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-9.63%	+3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	4.08%	-0.84%

Volatility

PAVE vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) have volatilities of 6.46% and 6.32%, 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

	PAVE	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.46%	6.32%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.22%	13.93%	+1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.84%	17.65%	+1.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.60%	19.62%	+1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.39%	21.20%	+3.19%

PAVE vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAVE has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAVE vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

PAVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than VAW's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	0.77%	0.92%	0.54%	0.68%	0.84%	0.48%	0.44%	0.67%	0.78%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.36%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAVE and VAW in my portfolio?

PAVE and VAW have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAVE or VAW?

PAVE has higher volatility (6.46%) compared to VAW (6.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAVE dropped -44.08% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which ETF is better, PAVE or VAW?

On 5-year performance, PAVE leads with 17.29% vs 5.91% for VAW. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VAW has been the lower-risk option at 6.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAVE or VAW?

Over the 5-year period, PAVE has performed better with a 17.29% return vs 5.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAVE or VAW?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for PAVE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PAVE or VAW?

VAW has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.77% for PAVE.

What is the main difference between PAVE and VAW?

PAVE is categorized as Utilities Equities, while VAW is Materials. PAVE tracks INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index, while VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for PAVE and 0.10% for VAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.39), 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.