PRMTX vs. VTI
PRMTX (T. Rowe Price Communications & Technology Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - PRMTX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI World IMI Communication Services 10/40 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PRMTX returned 13.94%/yr vs 14.63%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PRMTX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
PRMTX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRMTX achieves a -5.92% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.49% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRMTX having a 13.94% annualized return and VTI not far ahead at 14.63%.
PRMTX
- 1D
- 0.85%
- 1M
- -5.00%
- 6M
- -4.16%
- YTD
- -5.92%
- 1Y
- -6.58%
- 3Y*
- 17.24%
- 5Y*
- 3.71%
- 10Y*
- 13.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.50%
VTI
- 1D
- 0.53%
- 1M
- -0.15%
- 6M
- 8.77%
- YTD
- 10.49%
- 1Y
- 21.84%
- 3Y*
- 18.92%
- 5Y*
- 11.74%
- 10Y*
- 14.63%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $1.06B | $1.16B | $1.24B |
PRMTX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRMTX T. Rowe Price Communications & Technology Fund | -5.92% | 6.86% | 48.75% | 39.30% | -40.90% | 9.81% | 53.69% | 35.69% | -1.85% | 33.00% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 10.49% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between PRMTX and VTI is 0.80, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.87 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001 | 0.85 |
The correlation between PRMTX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PRMTX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
PRMTX
VTI
PRMTX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Communications & Technology Fund (PRMTX) 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.
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.
| PRMTX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.98 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.27 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.43 | 2.23 | -2.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.92 | 9.62 | -10.54 |
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Drawdowns
PRMTX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRMTX drawdown since its inception was -66.30%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRMTX and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PRMTX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.30% | -55.45% | -10.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.29% | -8.92% | -8.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.69% | -19.30% | -1.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -47.17% | -25.36% | -21.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.17% | -35.00% | -12.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.34% | -1.36% | -11.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.92% | -7.99% | -5.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.03% | 2.07% | +5.96% |
Volatility
PRMTX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
T. Rowe Price Communications & Technology Fund (PRMTX) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.46%. This indicates that PRMTX'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.
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Volatility by Period
| PRMTX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.73% | 3.46% | +2.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.46% | 10.24% | +3.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.16% | 13.10% | +3.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.79% | 17.51% | +4.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.99% | 18.30% | +2.69% |
PRMTX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
PRMTX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
PRMTX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
PRMTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.81%, more than VTI's 1.06% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRMTX T. Rowe Price Communications & Technology Fund | 26.81% | 25.23% | 14.78% | 7.74% | 17.50% | 8.35% | 5.29% | 2.45% | 1.28% | 2.35% | 2.24% | 3.20% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.06% | 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
PRMTX and VTI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PRMTX has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to VTI (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRMTX dropped -66.30% vs VTI's -55.45%.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs -0.46), 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.
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