TPDAX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TPDAX (Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - TPDAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Timothy Plan, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, TPDAX returned 6.71%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VTI. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TPDAX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

TPDAX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TPDAX achieves a 7.48% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 8.82% return. Over the past 10 years, TPDAX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 6.71%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.

TPDAX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: -3.70%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 6.67%
• 1Y: 20.18%
• 3Y*: 13.67%
• 5Y*: 8.56%
• 10Y*: 6.71%

VTI

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 8.82%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 24.22%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 15.14%

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

TPDAX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	7.48%	23.97%	5.29%	7.71%	-5.63%	12.15%	8.83%	13.77%	-7.24%	4.14%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	8.82%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TPDAX and VTI is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2009	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between TPDAX and VTI has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TPDAX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TPDAX

TPDAX Risk / Return Rank: 42
TPDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
TPDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
TPDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
TPDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
TPDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

TPDAX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	TPDAX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.90	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.59	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	2.73	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.11	12.14	-4.03

TPDAX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TPDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TPDAX and VTI, 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

TPDAX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TPDAX drawdown since its inception was -22.29%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TPDAX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TPDAX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.29%	-55.45%	+33.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-8.92%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.58%	-19.30%	+11.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.58%	-25.36%	+7.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.29%	-35.00%	+12.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.56%	-2.85%	-3.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-8.01%	+3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	2.00%	+0.47%

Volatility

TPDAX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) is 3.41%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that TPDAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TPDAX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	4.95%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.89%	10.05%	-0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	12.83%	-1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.22%	17.51%	-7.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.93%	18.32%	-8.39%

TPDAX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TPDAX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TPDAX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

TPDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	0.75%	0.80%	2.76%	2.35%	4.48%	0.50%	0.00%	2.89%	2.69%	0.13%	0.33%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TPDAX and VTI in my portfolio?

TPDAX and VTI have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TPDAX or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to TPDAX (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TPDAX dropped -22.29% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.74), 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.