TDVG vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TDVG (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - TDVG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. TDVG is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TDVG returned 10.19%/yr vs 11.03%/yr for VDADX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TDVG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

TDVG vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG) 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, TDVG achieves a 8.04% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 7.47% return.

TDVG

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 8.04%
• 6M: 7.41%
• 1Y: 17.57%
• 3Y*: 15.55%
• 5Y*: 10.19%
• 10Y*: —

VDADX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 18.93%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

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

TDVG vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	8.04%	14.80%	13.45%	13.95%	-10.15%	26.20%	12.97%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.47%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	14.73%

Correlation

The correlation between TDVG and VDADX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2020	0.97

The correlation between TDVG and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

TDVG vs. VDADX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TDVG	VDADX
Technology	26.2%	29.0%
Financial Services	19.3%	19.9%
Industrials	13.6%	11.3%
Healthcare	12.4%	16.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	9.3%
Energy	5.3%	3.2%
Utilities	3.8%	2.9%
Basic Materials	2.8%	3.3%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

TDVG vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TDVG

TDVG Risk / Return Rank: 56
TDVG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TDVG Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
TDVG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
TDVG Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
TDVG Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

TDVG vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG) 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.

	TDVG	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.99	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.87	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.35	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.56	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.01	10.31	-0.30

TDVG vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TDVG Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TDVG 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

TDVG vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TDVG drawdown since its inception was -19.20%, smaller than the maximum VDADX drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TDVG and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TDVG	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.20%	-31.70%	+12.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.24%	-7.93%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.02%	-14.95%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.20%	-20.42%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-0.62%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.73%	-3.39%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	1.96%	-0.20%

Volatility

TDVG vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) have volatilities of 2.78% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TDVG	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	2.88%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	7.72%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.79%	10.21%	-0.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	14.27%	-0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	16.21%	-2.31%

TDVG vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TDVG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

TDVG vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

TDVG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	0.98%	1.00%	1.06%	1.31%	1.15%	0.80%	0.40%	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 TDVG and VDADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TDVG and VDADX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TDVG or VDADX?

VDADX has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to TDVG (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TDVG dropped -19.20% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.81), 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.