SQM vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.) is a stock, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, SQM returned 17.70%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SQM vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQM achieves a 15.51% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SQM has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 17.70%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.05% annualized return.

SQM

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: -11.45%
• YTD: 15.51%
• 6M: 26.25%
• 1Y: 158.32%
• 3Y*: 6.55%
• 5Y*: 16.20%
• 10Y*: 17.70%

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

SQM vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.	15.51%	89.55%	-39.35%	-18.47%	71.62%	6.82%	89.19%	-27.30%	-32.71%	115.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SQM and VTI is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2001	0.44

Return for Risk

SQM vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SQM

SQM Risk / Return Rank: 93
SQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SQM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SQM Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SQM vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) 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.

	SQM	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.16	2.33	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.18	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.42	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.18	3.17	+5.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.01	14.62	+6.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SQM vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQM Sharpe Ratio is 3.16, which is higher than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQM and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SQM	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16	2.33	+0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.73	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.82	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.51	-0.09

Drawdowns

SQM vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQM drawdown since its inception was -78.34%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQM and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SQM	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.34%	-55.45%	-22.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.47%	-8.92%	-10.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-61.32%	-19.30%	-42.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.76%	-25.36%	-44.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.98%	-35.00%	-37.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.84%	-0.72%	-19.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.33%	-8.03%	-22.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.57%	1.93%	+5.64%

Volatility

SQM vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) has a higher volatility of 11.83% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.96%. This indicates that SQM'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.

Volatility by Period

	SQM	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.83%	2.96%	+8.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.12%	9.13%	+25.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.42%	12.17%	+38.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.65%	17.40%	+32.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.05%	18.30%	+27.75%

Dividends

SQM vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

SQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.	1.47%	0.18%	0.59%	8.34%	9.66%	3.92%	1.64%	4.55%	5.37%	2.73%	4.77%	2.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	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

Can I hold both SQM and VTI in my portfolio?

SQM and VTI have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SQM or VTI?

SQM has higher volatility (11.83%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQM dropped -78.34% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 2.33), 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.