PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VA.TO vs. FRDM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VA.TO vs. FRDM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VA.TO (Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VA.TO is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VA.TO returned 13.23%/yr vs 22.71%/yr for FRDM. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VA.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.

Performance

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF (VA.TO) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Different Trading Currencies

VA.TO is traded in CAD, while FRDM is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the FRDM values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VA.TO achieves a 32.04% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 46.46% return.

VA.TO

1D
0.16%
1M
12.67%
YTD
32.04%
6M
32.64%
1Y
55.12%
3Y*
24.27%
5Y*
13.23%
10Y*
11.31%

FRDM

1D
-0.89%
1M
19.40%
YTD
46.46%
6M
52.57%
1Y
100.00%
3Y*
38.67%
5Y*
22.71%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
VA.TO
Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF		32.04%25.82%10.30%12.15%-9.26%0.89%13.71%7.49%
FRDM
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF		46.46%53.88%10.44%20.07%-8.35%5.17%14.93%8.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VA.TO and FRDM is 0.75, 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

0.75

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.65

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2019

0.63

The correlation between VA.TO and FRDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (5 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VA.TO
FRDM

Technology

22.4%
41.1%

Industrials

20.6%
8.6%

Financial Services

19.4%
22.1%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
7.8%

Basic Materials

7.2%
7.4%

Healthcare

5.0%
1.8%

Communication Services

4.8%
3.9%

Real Estate

4.3%
2.5%

Consumer Defensive

3.5%
2.2%

Energy

1.6%
0.1%

Utilities

1.6%
2.6%

Technology

VA.TO
22.4%
FRDM
41.1%

Industrials

VA.TO
20.6%
FRDM
8.6%

Financial Services

VA.TO
19.4%
FRDM
22.1%

Consumer Cyclical

VA.TO
9.7%
FRDM
7.8%

Basic Materials

VA.TO
7.2%
FRDM
7.4%

Healthcare

VA.TO
5.0%
FRDM
1.8%

Communication Services

VA.TO
4.8%
FRDM
3.9%

Real Estate

VA.TO
4.3%
FRDM
2.5%

Consumer Defensive

VA.TO
3.5%
FRDM
2.2%

Energy

VA.TO
1.6%
FRDM
0.1%

Utilities

VA.TO
1.6%
FRDM
2.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with VA.TO:
VA.TO vs. VE.TOVA.TO vs. VPLVA.TO vs. XEF.TOVA.TO vs. XEQT.TOVA.TO vs. VIDY.TOVA.TO vs. VFV.TOVA.TO vs. SPWO
Often compared with FRDM:
FRDM vs. SPYFRDM vs. EMDMFRDM vs. AVSEFRDM vs. EMXC.LFRDM vs. DAADXFRDM vs. DFAEFRDM vs. DEHP

Return for Risk

VA.TO vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VA.TO
VA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
VA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
VA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
VA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
VA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
FRDM
FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 9393
Overall Rank
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9595
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 9393
Omega Ratio Rank
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 9292
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF (VA.TO) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.

VA.TOFRDMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.92
4.25

-1.32

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.78
4.96

-1.17

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.53

1.72

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.58

6.55

-1.97

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.84

25.28

-7.44

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VA.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.92, which is lower than the FRDM Sharpe Ratio of 4.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VA.TO and FRDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VA.TOFRDMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.92

4.25

-1.32

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.90

1.25

-0.35

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.69

1.00

-0.31

Drawdowns

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VA.TO drawdown since its inception was -25.81%, smaller than the maximum FRDM drawdown of -33.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VA.TO and FRDM.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VA.TOFRDMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-25.81%

-33.94%

+8.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.09%

-15.35%

+3.26%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.99%

-15.35%

+1.36%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.74%

-22.15%

-2.59%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-25.81%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.89%

+0.89%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.54%

-5.55%

+0.01%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.10%

3.97%

-0.87%

Volatility

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF (VA.TO) is 6.56%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 10.89%. This indicates that VA.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VA.TOFRDMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.56%

10.89%

-4.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.40%

21.00%

-4.60%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.96%

23.69%

-4.73%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.77%

18.21%

-3.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.15%

19.96%

-4.81%

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VA.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VA.TO vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison

VA.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, more than FRDM's 1.51% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FRDM
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF		1.51%2.26%2.53%2.66%2.72%2.17%1.11%1.07%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VA.TO
Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF		1.65%2.17%2.31%2.57%3.09%2.35%2.14%2.53%2.84%1.71%1.62%1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

VA.TO and FRDM have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, VA.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VA.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.

VA.TO is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FRDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VA.TO tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index, while FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Freedom Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VA.TO and 0.49% for FRDM.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VA.TO and FRDM

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer