PRSIX vs. VFMV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PRSIX (T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) are both funds - PRSIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, PRSIX returned 4.58%/yr vs 9.55%/yr for VFMV. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRSIX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.

Performance

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund (PRSIX) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRSIX achieves a 5.01% return, which is significantly lower than VFMV's 8.57% return.

PRSIX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 5.01%
• 6M: 5.51%
• 1Y: 12.50%
• 3Y*: 10.58%
• 5Y*: 4.58%
• 10Y*: 6.84%

VFMV

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 6M: 7.81%
• 1Y: 12.36%
• 3Y*: 14.22%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PRSIX T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund	5.01%	11.91%	8.53%	11.97%	-13.65%	7.07%	11.70%	16.78%	-3.35%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	8.57%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between PRSIX and VFMV is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.78

The correlation between PRSIX and VFMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRSIX vs. VFMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRSIX

PRSIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PRSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
PRSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PRSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PRSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PRSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund (PRSIX) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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.

	PRSIX	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.41	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	2.05	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.07	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.28	8.03	+3.24

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the VFMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRSIX and VFMV, 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

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRSIX drawdown since its inception was -30.00%, smaller than the maximum VFMV drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRSIX and VFMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRSIX	VFMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.00%	-33.64%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.02%	-6.00%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.80%	-10.35%	+3.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.69%	-15.41%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.98%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.82%	-3.63%	+0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	1.55%	-0.41%

Volatility

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund (PRSIX) has a higher volatility of 2.52% compared to Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) at 2.30%. This indicates that PRSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRSIX	VFMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.52%	2.30%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	6.32%	-1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.14%	8.83%	-2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.10%	11.75%	-4.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.42%	14.23%	-6.81%

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRSIX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VFMV's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRSIX vs. VFMV - Dividend Comparison

PRSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.89%, more than VFMV's 1.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRSIX T. Rowe Price Spectrum Conservative Allocation Fund	6.89%	7.12%	3.92%	3.78%	5.63%	7.63%	3.77%	5.11%	5.27%	3.43%	2.22%	4.56%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.93%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRSIX and VFMV in my portfolio?

PRSIX and VFMV have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRSIX or VFMV?

PRSIX has higher volatility (2.52%) compared to VFMV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRSIX dropped -30.00% vs VFMV's -33.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.41), 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.