T vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 3.62%/yr vs 15.56%/yr for VOO. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 VOO's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 3.62%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.56% 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%

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

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

T vs. VOO - 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between T and VOO is -0.12, 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	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.41

The correlation between T and VOO shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. VOO — 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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO 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.

T vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.56	2.39	-2.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	3.25	-3.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.43	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.59	3.16	-3.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.20	14.73	-15.93
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. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T and VOO, 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.56	2.39	-2.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.83	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15	0.87	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.89	-0.51

Drawdowns

T vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-33.99%	-30.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.60%	-8.90%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.60%	-18.69%	-1.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-24.52%	-7.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-33.99%	-8.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.23%	-0.70%	-17.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-3.69%	-12.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.08%	1.91%	+8.17%

Volatility

T vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 6.96% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.84%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	T	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.96%	2.84%	+4.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.27%	8.90%	+8.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.86%	11.80%	+10.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.92%	16.81%	+7.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.69%	18.01%	+5.68%

Dividends

T vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than VOO's 1.03% 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and VOO in my portfolio?

T and VOO have a correlation of -0.12, 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 VOO?

T has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to VOO (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 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.