RIET vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RIET (Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - RIET is a REIT fund tracking the Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield Index, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, RIET returned 9.52%/yr vs 21.17%/yr for VTSAX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RIET charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

RIET vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (RIET) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RIET achieves a 8.46% return, which is significantly lower than VTSAX's 10.33% return.

RIET

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 8.46%
• 6M: 9.41%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 9.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTSAX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 6M: 9.19%
• 1Y: 25.93%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.29%

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

RIET vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
RIET Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF	8.46%	2.43%	1.18%	13.04%	-25.29%	5.14%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.33%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	8.06%

Correlation

The correlation between RIET and VTSAX is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2021	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between RIET and VTSAX has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

RIET vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RIET

RIET Risk / Return Rank: 26
RIET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
RIET Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
RIET Omega Ratio Rank: 23
RIET Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
RIET Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

RIET vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (RIET) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.

	RIET	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.13	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	2.88	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.38	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	3.05	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.60	13.67	-10.08

RIET vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RIET Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RIET and VTSAX, 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

RIET vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RIET drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RIET and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RIET	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-55.33%	+20.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.76%	-8.92%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.38%	-19.36%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.51%	-1.47%	-5.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.31%	-8.99%	-7.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	1.99%	+1.37%

Volatility

RIET vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (RIET) is 3.94%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that RIET experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RIET	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	4.77%	-0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.50%	10.05%	-0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	12.83%	+0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.95%	17.45%	+1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.95%	18.46%	+0.49%

RIET vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RIET has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

RIET vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

RIET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.74%, more than VTSAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RIET Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF	10.74%	11.04%	10.17%	9.33%	9.33%	1.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RIET and VTSAX in my portfolio?

RIET and VTSAX have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RIET or VTSAX?

VTSAX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to RIET (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RIET dropped -34.61% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.91), 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.