POIIX vs. VEA

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

POIIX (Polen International Growth Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, POIIX returned -3.73%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POIIX charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

POIIX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen International Growth Fund (POIIX) 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, POIIX achieves a -5.04% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 12.45% return.

POIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.66%
• 6M: -9.59%
• YTD: -5.04%
• 1Y: -10.10%
• 3Y*: -0.54%
• 5Y*: -3.73%
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: -1.99%
• 6M: 8.21%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 1Y: 26.21%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 9.44%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

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

POIIX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POIIX Polen International Growth Fund	-5.04%	-0.72%	-3.77%	27.81%	-29.90%	5.62%	9.80%	25.88%	-5.85%	33.67%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.45%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between POIIX and VEA 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	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.82

The correlation between POIIX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POIIX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

POIIX

POIIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
POIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
POIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
POIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
POIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
POIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 58
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

POIIX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen International Growth Fund (POIIX) 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.

	POIIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.56	1.55	-2.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.66	2.15	-2.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.28	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	2.26	-2.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.11	8.59	-9.70

POIIX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POIIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POIIX 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

POIIX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POIIX drawdown since its inception was -38.81%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POIIX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	POIIX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.81%	-60.68%	+21.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.05%	-11.63%	-10.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.45%	-13.45%	-12.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.81%	-29.71%	-9.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.90%	-3.63%	-16.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-13.23%	+3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.65%	3.06%	+7.59%

Volatility

POIIX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

Polen International Growth Fund (POIIX) has a higher volatility of 7.11% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 6.33%. This indicates that POIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POIIX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.11%	6.33%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.02%	15.07%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.49%	17.02%	+3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.12%	16.79%	+3.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	17.17%	+1.56%

POIIX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

POIIX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

POIIX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

POIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, less than VEA's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POIIX Polen International Growth Fund	0.05%	0.05%	0.45%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.11%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.60%	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 POIIX and VEA in my portfolio?

POIIX and VEA 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, POIIX or VEA?

POIIX has higher volatility (7.11%) compared to VEA (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POIIX dropped -38.81% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs -0.56), 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.