SPLV vs. VDC

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SPLV (Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPLV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPLV returned 8.33%/yr vs 7.99%/yr for VDC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.

Performance

SPLV vs. VDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPLV achieves a 4.85% return, which is significantly lower than VDC's 10.18% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPLV having a 8.33% annualized return and VDC not far behind at 7.99%.

SPLV

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 2.76%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 4.17%
• 1Y: 4.71%
• 3Y*: 8.01%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

VDC

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 10.18%
• 6M: 8.00%
• 1Y: 8.20%
• 3Y*: 8.39%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 7.99%

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

SPLV vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	4.85%	4.10%	13.93%	0.53%	-4.88%	24.13%	-1.39%	27.87%	-0.19%	17.32%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	10.18%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%

Correlation

The correlation between SPLV and VDC is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2011	0.84

The correlation between SPLV and VDC shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPLV vs. VDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPLV	VDC
Utilities	24.9%	-
Financial Services	21.3%	-
Real Estate	17.8%	-
Industrials	12.2%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	97.5%
Healthcare	4.0%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	1.8%
Energy	2.7%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	0.3%
Technology	0.8%	-
Communication Services	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

SPLV vs. VDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPLV

SPLV Risk / Return Rank: 17
SPLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
SPLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
SPLV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
SPLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
SPLV Martin Ratio Rank: 17

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 20
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

SPLV vs. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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.

	SPLV	VDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	0.66	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.73	1.03	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.12	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	0.89	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.50	1.80	-0.29

SPLV vs. VDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is comparable to the VDC Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPLV and VDC, 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

SPLV vs. VDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPLV drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, which is greater than VDC's maximum drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPLV and VDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPLV	VDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-34.24%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.41%	-9.28%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.64%	-11.78%	+2.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.26%	-16.55%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-25.31%	-10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.66%	-4.68%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-3.73%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	4.58%	-1.43%

Volatility

SPLV vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is 4.03%, while Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a volatility of 4.63%. This indicates that SPLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPLV	VDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	4.63%	-0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	10.00%	-2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.08%	12.53%	-2.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.51%	13.18%	-0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.38%	14.66%	+0.72%

SPLV vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPLV vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison

SPLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, more than VDC's 2.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	2.15%	2.04%	1.88%	2.45%	2.11%	1.51%	2.12%	2.08%	2.18%	2.03%	2.03%	2.28%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.08%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPLV and VDC in my portfolio?

SPLV and VDC have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPLV or VDC?

VDC has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to SPLV (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPLV dropped -36.26% vs VDC's -34.24%.

Which ETF is better, SPLV or VDC?

On 10-year performance, SPLV leads with 8.33% vs 7.99% for VDC. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPLV has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPLV or VDC?

Over the 10-year period, SPLV has performed better with a 8.33% return vs 7.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPLV or VDC?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SPLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPLV or VDC?

SPLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.15%, compared with 2.08% for VDC.

What is the main difference between SPLV and VDC?

SPLV is categorized as S&P 500, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. SPLV tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SPLV and 0.09% for VDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.66 vs 0.47), 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.