PRAFX vs. VMVFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PRAFX (T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund) and VMVFX (Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRAFX returned 8.96%/yr vs 9.46%/yr for VMVFX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRAFX charges 0.92%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VMVFX.

Performance

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRAFX achieves a 14.08% return, which is significantly higher than VMVFX's 7.99% return. Over the past 10 years, PRAFX has underperformed VMVFX with an annualized return of 8.96%, while VMVFX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.46% annualized return.

PRAFX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 14.08%
• 6M: 15.92%
• 1Y: 36.84%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

VMVFX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 7.99%
• 6M: 8.43%
• 1Y: 13.15%
• 3Y*: 13.45%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 9.46%

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

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRAFX T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund	14.08%	29.51%	0.32%	6.65%	-10.24%	25.74%	7.02%	19.62%	-11.55%	10.48%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	7.99%	12.74%	13.38%	7.82%	-4.48%	23.74%	-3.99%	23.28%	-1.79%	15.93%

Correlation

The correlation between PRAFX and VMVFX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2013	0.70

The correlation between PRAFX and VMVFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.70 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRAFX vs. VMVFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRAFX

PRAFX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PRAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PRAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PRAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PRAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PRAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VMVFX

VMVFX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VMVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VMVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VMVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VMVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VMVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). 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.

	PRAFX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.87	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.66	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.33	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.03	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	7.92	+2.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRAFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the VMVFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRAFX and VMVFX, 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

	PRAFX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.87	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.99	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.76	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.82	-0.46

Drawdowns

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRAFX drawdown since its inception was -38.05%, which is greater than VMVFX's maximum drawdown of -33.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRAFX and VMVFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRAFX	VMVFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.05%	-33.09%	-4.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.91%	-6.27%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.86%	-7.96%	-8.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.73%	-13.02%	-13.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.05%	-33.09%	-4.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.63%	-0.58%	-4.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-2.83%	-5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	1.60%	+1.89%

Volatility

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX) at 1.98%. This indicates that PRAFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMVFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRAFX	VMVFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	1.98%	+2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	5.11%	+8.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	6.82%	+9.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	10.76%	+6.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.14%	12.48%	+5.66%

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRAFX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is higher than VMVFX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRAFX vs. VMVFX - Dividend Comparison

PRAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than VMVFX's 9.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRAFX T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund	2.58%	2.94%	1.56%	1.52%	1.38%	1.83%	1.37%	2.64%	2.58%	1.45%	1.96%	1.88%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	9.24%	9.98%	3.77%	3.05%	4.96%	12.73%	2.02%	5.12%	7.27%	2.30%	2.71%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRAFX and VMVFX in my portfolio?

PRAFX and VMVFX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRAFX or VMVFX?

PRAFX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to VMVFX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRAFX dropped -38.05% vs VMVFX's -33.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.87), 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.