RTH vs. VCR
RTH (VanEck Vectors Retail ETF) and VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both Consumer Discretionary Equities funds - RTH tracks the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index while VCR tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RTH returned 13.87%/yr vs 13.46%/yr for VCR. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RTH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCR.
Performance
RTH vs. VCR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RTH achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly higher than VCR's -0.77% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RTH having a 13.87% annualized return and VCR not far behind at 13.46%.
RTH
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- -4.91%
- YTD
- 1.87%
- 6M
- 1.10%
- 1Y
- 7.77%
- 3Y*
- 16.09%
- 5Y*
- 9.36%
- 10Y*
- 13.87%
VCR
- 1D
- -0.78%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- YTD
- -0.77%
- 6M
- -0.95%
- 1Y
- 9.75%
- 3Y*
- 14.98%
- 5Y*
- 6.17%
- 10Y*
- 13.46%
RTH vs. VCR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF | 1.87% | 12.36% | 20.02% | 20.07% | -17.67% | 24.94% | 31.62% | 29.06% | 3.87% | 22.45% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | -0.77% | 5.77% | 24.27% | 40.38% | -35.15% | 24.86% | 48.36% | 27.45% | -2.31% | 22.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between RTH and VCR is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004 | 0.84 |
The correlation between RTH and VCR shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
RTH vs. VCR — Risk / Return Rank
RTH
VCR
RTH vs. VCR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). 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.
| RTH | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.65 | 0.53 | +0.12 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.04 | 0.87 | +0.18 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.10 | +0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.00 | 0.63 | +0.37 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.46 | 1.97 | +1.49 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| RTH | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.65 | 0.53 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 | 0.26 | +0.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.79 | 0.60 | +0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.51 | -0.01 |
Drawdowns
RTH vs. VCR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RTH drawdown since its inception was -42.32%, smaller than the maximum VCR drawdown of -61.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTH and VCR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| RTH | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.32% | -61.54% | +19.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.83% | -15.59% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.80% | -27.36% | +13.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.00% | -39.20% | +14.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.00% | -39.20% | +14.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.85% | -5.29% | -0.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.34% | -9.40% | +2.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.26% | 4.97% | -2.71% |
Volatility
RTH vs. VCR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) is 3.83%, while Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) has a volatility of 5.18%. This indicates that RTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| RTH | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.83% | 5.18% | -1.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.22% | 13.09% | -3.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.07% | 18.48% | -6.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.81% | 23.99% | -7.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.54% | 22.40% | -4.86% |
RTH vs. VCR - Expense Ratio Comparison
RTH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VCR's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
RTH vs. VCR - Dividend Comparison
RTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than VCR's 0.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF | 0.95% | 0.97% | 0.77% | 1.07% | 1.16% | 0.78% | 0.64% | 0.91% | 1.05% | 1.56% | 1.84% | 2.25% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.73% | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.84% | 0.98% | 0.79% | 1.71% | 1.17% | 1.37% | 1.21% | 1.60% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RTH and VCR have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCR has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to RTH (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTH dropped -42.32% vs VCR's -61.54%.
On 10-year performance, RTH leads with 13.87% vs 13.46% for VCR. On fees, VCR is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, RTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, RTH has performed better with a 13.87% return vs 13.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCR is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RTH.
RTH has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.73% for VCR.
RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while VCR tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RTH and 0.10% for VCR.
RTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.65 vs 0.53), 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.
Find the right allocation for RTH and VCR
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer