PIT vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. PIT is actively managed, while VEA is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PIT returned 21.53%/yr vs 19.03%/yr for VEA. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PIT charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

PIT vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) 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, PIT achieves a 32.48% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 14.73% return.

PIT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -9.34%
• YTD: 32.48%
• 6M: 34.12%
• 1Y: 45.92%
• 3Y*: 21.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 3.58%
• YTD: 14.73%
• 6M: 16.65%
• 1Y: 31.41%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

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

PIT vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	32.48%	21.63%	6.77%	-4.54%	1.67%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.73%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between PIT and VEA is -0.07, 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	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.17

The correlation between PIT and VEA shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.17 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PIT vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIT

PIT Risk / Return Rank: 82
PIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
PIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
PIT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PIT Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 62
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

PIT vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) 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.

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.

	PIT	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.81	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.50	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.33	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.66	2.58	+2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.95	9.92	+6.03

PIT vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIT Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIT 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.

Drawdowns

PIT vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIT drawdown since its inception was -12.27%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIT and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIT	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.27%	-60.68%	+48.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.56%	-11.63%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.27%	-13.45%	+1.18%
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	-10.56%	-1.06%	-9.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-13.28%	+9.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	3.02%	+0.06%

Volatility

PIT vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) is 4.99%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.84%. This indicates that PIT 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

	PIT	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	6.84%	-1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.29%	14.38%	+4.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.58%	16.58%	+5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.50%	16.72%	+0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	17.40%	+0.10%

PIT vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIT has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIT vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

PIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.73%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	6.73%	8.92%	3.59%	6.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 PIT and VEA in my portfolio?

PIT and VEA have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIT or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to PIT (4.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIT dropped -12.27% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, PIT or VEA?

On 3-year performance, PIT leads with 21.53% vs 19.03% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PIT has been the lower-risk option at 4.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PIT or VEA?

Over the 3-year period, PIT has performed better with a 21.53% return vs 19.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PIT or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PIT.

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

PIT has the higher dividend yield at 6.73%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.

What is the main difference between PIT and VEA?

PIT is categorized as Commodities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PIT and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.81), 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.