PRFDX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

PRFDX (T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - PRFDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, PRFDX returned 11.50%/yr vs 14.84%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRFDX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

PRFDX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) 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, PRFDX achieves a 11.11% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.05% return. Over the past 10 years, PRFDX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.50%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.84% annualized return.

PRFDX

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: 0.75%
• YTD: 11.11%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 22.00%
• 3Y*: 16.28%
• 5Y*: 9.22%
• 10Y*: 11.50%

VTI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 9.05%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 24.96%
• 3Y*: 21.05%
• 5Y*: 12.25%
• 10Y*: 14.84%

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

PRFDX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	11.11%	14.60%	11.85%	9.75%	-3.25%	25.60%	1.28%	33.66%	-9.29%	15.46%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.05%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFDX and VTI is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between PRFDX and VTI has dropped to 0.70 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PRFDX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRFDX

PRFDX Risk / Return Rank: 62
PRFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
PRFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
PRFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PRFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PRFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

PRFDX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) 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.

	PRFDX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.02	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.73	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.36	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	2.81	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.86	12.85	-0.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRFDX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFDX 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

	PRFDX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.02	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.71	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.81	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.50	+0.10

Drawdowns

PRFDX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFDX drawdown since its inception was -58.12%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFDX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFDX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.12%	-55.45%	-2.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-8.92%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.35%	-19.30%	+4.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.08%	-25.36%	+7.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.71%	-35.00%	-4.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.50%	-2.64%	+1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-8.02%	+1.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.95%	+0.02%

Volatility

PRFDX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) is 2.94%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.88%. This indicates that PRFDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFDX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	3.88%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.16%	9.55%	-1.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.80%	12.44%	-1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.95%	17.44%	-2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	18.33%	-0.46%

PRFDX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFDX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFDX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PRFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	2.45%	2.76%	8.91%	6.19%	6.61%	8.78%	3.55%	12.53%	11.43%	8.97%	7.75%	7.48%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	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 PRFDX and VTI in my portfolio?

PRFDX and VTI have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRFDX or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to PRFDX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFDX dropped -58.12% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.02), 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.