TCAF vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

TCAF (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - TCAF is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. TCAF is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past year, TCAF returned 17.29% vs 19.02% for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCAF charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

TCAF vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCAF achieves a 4.37% return, which is significantly lower than VDADX's 7.11% return.

TCAF

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 5.06%
• 1Y: 17.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDADX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 19.02%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 10.60%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

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

TCAF vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	4.37%	15.45%	20.93%	9.71%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.11%	14.17%	16.99%	8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between TCAF and VDADX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2023	0.83

The correlation between TCAF and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

TCAF vs. VDADX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TCAF	VDADX
Technology	34.0%	26.2%
Healthcare	17.6%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	4.7%
Communication Services	10.5%	0.5%
Utilities	8.7%	3.2%
Financial Services	6.1%	20.6%
Industrials	4.7%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	10.1%
Energy	2.6%	3.5%
Basic Materials	0.1%	3.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

TCAF vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAF

TCAF Risk / Return Rank: 41
TCAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
TCAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
TCAF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
TCAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
TCAF Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

TCAF vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TCAF	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.80	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.61	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	2.33	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	9.37	-3.73

TCAF vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCAF Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCAF and VDADX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TCAF vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCAF drawdown since its inception was -16.37%, smaller than the maximum VDADX drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCAF and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCAF	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.37%	-31.70%	+15.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-7.93%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-14.95%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-0.81%	-2.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.07%	-3.40%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	1.97%	+0.89%

Volatility

TCAF vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) has a higher volatility of 3.60% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.95%. This indicates that TCAF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCAF	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	2.95%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	7.87%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.77%	10.27%	+1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.98%	14.30%	-0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.98%	16.20%	-2.22%

TCAF vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCAF has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCAF vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

TCAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, less than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	0.48%	0.50%	0.43%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCAF and VDADX in my portfolio?

TCAF and VDADX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCAF or VDADX?

TCAF has higher volatility (3.60%) compared to VDADX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCAF dropped -16.37% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.37), 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.