T vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 3.62%/yr vs 25.78%/yr for VGT. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, T achieves a -3.08% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 31.64% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 3.62%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.78% annualized return.

T

• 1D: -4.42%
• 1M: -9.77%
• YTD: -3.08%
• 6M: -4.92%
• 1Y: -12.10%
• 3Y*: 22.12%
• 5Y*: 7.39%
• 10Y*: 3.62%

VGT

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 18.07%
• YTD: 31.64%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 60.15%
• 3Y*: 33.48%
• 5Y*: 22.23%
• 10Y*: 25.78%

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

T vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-3.08%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	31.64%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between T and VGT is -0.29, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.33

The correlation between T and VGT shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 17
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
T Omega Ratio Rank: 17
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
T Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.56	2.95	-3.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	3.63	-4.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.47	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.59	3.69	-4.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.20	11.77	-12.97
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. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T and VGT, 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.56	2.95	-3.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.89	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15	1.05	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.68	-0.30

Drawdowns

T vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-54.63%	-9.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.60%	-16.40%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.60%	-27.23%	+6.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-35.07%	+3.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-35.07%	-7.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.23%	-1.48%	-16.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-7.95%	-7.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.08%	5.13%	+4.95%

Volatility

T vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 6.96% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 6.39%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.96%	6.39%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.27%	16.07%	+1.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.86%	20.57%	+1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.92%	25.18%	-1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.69%	24.60%	-0.91%

Dividends

T vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than VGT's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
T AT&T Inc.	4.71%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and VGT in my portfolio?

T and VGT have a correlation of -0.29, 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 VGT?

T has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to VGT (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs -0.56), 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.