T vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 2.86%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for VEA. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, T achieves a -7.40% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 12.02% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 2.86%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.14% annualized return.

T

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -10.57%
• YTD: -7.40%
• 6M: -7.40%
• 1Y: -16.38%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

T vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-7.40%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between T and VEA is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2007	0.44

The correlation between T and VEA shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 11
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
T Omega Ratio Rank: 13
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
T Martin Ratio Rank: 4

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

T vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	T	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	1.75	-2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.98	2.39	-3.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.32	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	2.42	-3.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.59	9.39	-10.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

T vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T and VEA, 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

	T	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	1.75	-2.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.55	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.59	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.24	+0.14

Drawdowns

T vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than VEA's maximum drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-60.68%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.87%	-11.63%	-10.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.87%	-13.45%	-8.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-29.71%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-35.73%	-6.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.87%	-3.40%	-18.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-13.29%	-2.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.34%	3.00%	+7.34%

Volatility

T vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 6.03%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.50%	6.03%	+1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.57%	13.91%	+3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.98%	16.15%	+5.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.97%	16.63%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.71%	17.40%	+6.31%

Dividends

T vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than VEA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
T AT&T Inc.	4.93%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and VEA in my portfolio?

T and VEA have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or VEA?

T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to VEA (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.75), 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.