PDGIX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDGIX (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - PDGIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. PDGIX is actively managed, while VEA is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PDGIX returned 13.01%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PDGIX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

PDGIX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX) 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, PDGIX achieves a 7.65% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, PDGIX has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 13.01%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.17% annualized return.

PDGIX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 7.81%
• 1Y: 17.30%
• 3Y*: 15.70%
• 5Y*: 10.24%
• 10Y*: 13.01%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

PDGIX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDGIX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund	7.65%	14.91%	13.63%	13.82%	-10.08%	26.19%	14.06%	31.90%	-0.93%	18.98%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PDGIX and VEA is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.78

The correlation between PDGIX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDGIX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDGIX

PDGIX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PDGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PDGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PDGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
PDGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PDGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

PDGIX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX) 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.

	PDGIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.09	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.87	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.38	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.81	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	10.94	-0.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDGIX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDGIX 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

	PDGIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.09	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.58	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.59	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.25	+0.60

Drawdowns

PDGIX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDGIX drawdown since its inception was -33.17%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDGIX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDGIX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.17%	-60.68%	+27.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.32%	-11.63%	+4.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.12%	-13.45%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.21%	-29.71%	+10.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.17%	-35.73%	+2.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.90%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.36%	-13.29%	+9.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	2.98%	-1.19%

Volatility

PDGIX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX) is 2.33%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that PDGIX 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

	PDGIX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.33%	5.66%	-3.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.58%	13.32%	-5.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.74%	15.66%	-5.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.06%	16.55%	-2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.88%	17.36%	-1.48%

PDGIX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDGIX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDGIX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

PDGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.66%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDGIX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund	7.66%	8.16%	4.80%	2.90%	3.99%	2.09%	1.15%	2.44%	3.81%	1.89%	3.20%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	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 PDGIX and VEA in my portfolio?

PDGIX and VEA have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDGIX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to PDGIX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDGIX dropped -33.17% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.83), 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.