TOTR vs. VPLS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

TOTR (T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF) and VPLS (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TOTR returned 1.68% vs 2.61% for VPLS. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TOTR charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VPLS.

Performance

TOTR vs. VPLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOTR achieves a -0.66% return, which is significantly lower than VPLS's -0.07% return.

TOTR

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.34%
• 6M: -1.06%
• YTD: -0.66%
• 1Y: 1.68%
• 3Y*: 4.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -0.46%

VPLS

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -1.09%
• 6M: -0.51%
• YTD: -0.07%
• 1Y: 2.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.02%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TOTR T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF	$847.04K	$553.80K	$586.11K
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	$18.40M	$16.50M	$14.10M

TOTR vs. VPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TOTR T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF	-0.66%	7.41%	2.43%	2.39%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	-0.07%	7.86%	2.72%	2.83%

Correlation

The correlation between TOTR and VPLS is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.91

The correlation between TOTR and VPLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TOTR vs. VPLS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TOTR

TOTR Risk / Return Rank: 27
TOTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
TOTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
TOTR Omega Ratio Rank: 25
TOTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TOTR Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VPLS

VPLS Risk / Return Rank: 37
VPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TOTR vs. VPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). 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.

	TOTR	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	0.96	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	1.39	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.17	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	1.26	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.61	3.57	-0.96

TOTR vs. VPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOTR Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the VPLS Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOTR and VPLS, 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

TOTR vs. VPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOTR drawdown since its inception was -19.63%, which is greater than VPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOTR and VPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOTR	VPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.63%	-4.17%	-15.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.56%	-2.72%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.92%	-1.91%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.76%	-1.02%	-7.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	0.96%	+0.04%

Volatility

TOTR vs. VPLS - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) at 0.94%. This indicates that TOTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TOTR	VPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.94%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.89%	2.85%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.09%	3.58%	+0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.15%	4.55%	+1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.15%	4.55%	+1.60%

TOTR vs. VPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOTR has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VPLS's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOTR vs. VPLS - Dividend Comparison

TOTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.38%, more than VPLS's 4.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TOTR T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF	5.38%	5.14%	5.32%	4.71%	3.45%	0.56%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	4.40%	4.78%	4.52%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOTR and VPLS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TOTR and VPLS 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, TOTR or VPLS?

TOTR has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to VPLS (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOTR dropped -19.63% vs VPLS's -4.17%.

Which ETF is better, TOTR or VPLS?

On 1-year performance, VPLS leads with 2.61% vs 1.68% for TOTR. On fees, VPLS is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, VPLS has been the lower-risk option at 0.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TOTR or VPLS?

Over the 1-year period, VPLS has performed better with a 2.61% return vs 1.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOTR or VPLS?

VPLS is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for TOTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TOTR or VPLS?

TOTR has the higher dividend yield at 5.38%, compared with 4.40% for VPLS.

What is the main difference between TOTR and VPLS?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for TOTR and 0.20% for VPLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.64), 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.