PKG vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PKG (Packaging Corporation of America) is a stock, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, PKG returned 15.74%/yr vs 15.04%/yr for VTI. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PKG vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PKG achieves a 9.59% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PKG having a 15.74% annualized return and VTI not far behind at 15.04%.

PKG

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 9.59%
• 6M: 15.65%
• 1Y: 19.07%
• 3Y*: 24.22%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

PKG vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PKG Packaging Corporation of America	9.59%	-6.08%	41.70%	31.90%	-2.62%	1.55%	27.20%	38.35%	-28.85%	45.51%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PKG and VTI is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2001	0.58

The correlation between PKG and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PKG vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PKG

PKG Risk / Return Rank: 62
PKG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PKG Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
PKG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PKG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PKG Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

PKG vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	PKG	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.38	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	3.24	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.24	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.46	14.94	-12.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PKG vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PKG Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PKG and VTI, 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

	PKG	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.38	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.74	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.82	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.51	-0.03

Drawdowns

PKG vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PKG drawdown since its inception was -66.88%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PKG and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PKG	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.88%	-55.45%	-11.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.21%	-8.92%	-8.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.43%	-19.30%	-9.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.78%	-25.36%	-6.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.18%	-35.00%	-3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.24%	-0.26%	-7.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.72%	-8.03%	-3.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.76%	1.93%	+5.83%

Volatility

PKG vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.90%. This indicates that PKG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PKG	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	2.90%	+5.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.13%	9.13%	+11.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.88%	12.17%	+14.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.34%	17.40%	+7.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.32%	18.30%	+9.02%

Dividends

PKG vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PKG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PKG Packaging Corporation of America	2.23%	2.42%	2.22%	3.07%	3.71%	2.94%	2.44%	2.82%	3.59%	2.09%	2.78%	3.49%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PKG and VTI in my portfolio?

PKG and VTI have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PKG or VTI?

PKG has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PKG dropped -66.88% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.71), 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.