TBWIX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TBWIX (Thornburg Better World International Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TBWIX returned 10.56%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TBWIX charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

TBWIX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thornburg Better World International Fund (TBWIX) 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, TBWIX achieves a 3.47% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 15.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TBWIX having a 10.56% annualized return and VEA not far behind at 10.27%.

TBWIX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 3.47%
• 6M: 5.02%
• 1Y: 12.41%
• 3Y*: 11.90%
• 5Y*: 5.78%
• 10Y*: 10.56%

VEA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 15.96%
• 6M: 19.86%
• 1Y: 32.71%
• 3Y*: 20.13%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

TBWIX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TBWIX Thornburg Better World International Fund	3.47%	24.25%	7.10%	12.72%	-18.02%	20.88%	26.67%	24.57%	-13.61%	22.88%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	15.96%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between TBWIX and VEA is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.82

The correlation between TBWIX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TBWIX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBWIX

TBWIX Risk / Return Rank: 12
TBWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
TBWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
TBWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
TBWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
TBWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 61
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

TBWIX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thornburg Better World International Fund (TBWIX) 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.

	TBWIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	2.10	-1.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	2.89	-1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.38	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	2.94	-1.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.60	11.50	-7.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBWIX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBWIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBWIX 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

	TBWIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	2.10	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.61	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.59	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.25	+0.38

Drawdowns

TBWIX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBWIX drawdown since its inception was -40.11%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBWIX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBWIX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.11%	-60.68%	+20.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.01%	-11.63%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.49%	-13.45%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.11%	-29.71%	-10.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.11%	-35.73%	-4.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.32%	0.00%	-3.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.23%	-13.29%	+3.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	2.98%	+0.51%

Volatility

TBWIX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Thornburg Better World International Fund (TBWIX) is 3.58%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.73%. This indicates that TBWIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBWIX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	5.73%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	13.30%	-3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.86%	15.66%	-2.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.62%	16.55%	+1.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	17.36%	-0.50%

TBWIX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBWIX has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBWIX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

TBWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than VEA's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TBWIX Thornburg Better World International Fund	1.48%	1.53%	1.40%	1.55%	0.87%	15.10%	0.40%	1.17%	10.14%	3.53%	5.99%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.59%	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 TBWIX and VEA in my portfolio?

TBWIX and VEA have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBWIX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to TBWIX (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBWIX dropped -40.11% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.00), 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.