VAW vs. GNR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) and GNR (SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index, while GNR is a Natural Resources fund tracking the S&P Global Natural Resources Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VAW returned 9.60%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for GNR. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VAW charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GNR.

Performance

VAW vs. GNR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) and SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAW achieves a 9.76% return, which is significantly lower than GNR's 17.31% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VAW having a 9.60% annualized return and GNR not far ahead at 10.08%.

VAW

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -2.78%
• 6M: 0.35%
• YTD: 9.76%
• 1Y: 18.81%
• 3Y*: 8.94%
• 5Y*: 6.41%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 9.09%

GNR

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 6.00%
• 6M: 6.91%
• YTD: 17.31%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 12.17%
• 5Y*: 10.45%
• 10Y*: 10.08%
• ALL TIME*: 5.43%

*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)
GNR SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF	$15.40M	$17.01M	$18.12M
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	$10.36M	$9.92M	$12.36M

VAW vs. GNR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	9.76%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%
GNR SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF	17.31%	28.68%	-8.27%	2.95%	10.20%	24.73%	-0.03%	16.49%	-13.19%	22.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VAW and GNR is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2010	0.81

The correlation between VAW and GNR shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VAW vs. GNR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VAW	GNR
Basic Materials	89.3%	53.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	8.5%
Industrials	0.6%	0.3%
Healthcare	0.5%	0.0%
Technology	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	5.4%
Energy	0.0%	31.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

VAW vs. GNR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 39
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 38

GNR

GNR Risk / Return Rank: 84
GNR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
GNR Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
GNR Omega Ratio Rank: 85
GNR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
GNR Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VAW vs. GNR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) and SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR). 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.

	VAW	GNR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	2.15	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.76	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.38	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	3.34	-1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.04	10.62	-6.59

VAW vs. GNR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAW Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the GNR Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAW and GNR, 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

VAW vs. GNR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAW drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, which is greater than GNR's maximum drawdown of -51.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAW and GNR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAW	GNR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.17%	-51.37%	-10.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.42%	-10.99%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.21%	-21.15%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.50%	-25.66%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.13%	-48.59%	+7.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.69%	-3.94%	-2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.60%	-14.87%	+5.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	3.45%	+1.22%

Volatility

VAW vs. GNR - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) has a higher volatility of 5.44% compared to SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR) at 4.15%. This indicates that VAW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GNR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAW	GNR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.44%	4.15%	+1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.02%	13.42%	+1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.71%	17.12%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.76%	20.19%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.23%	21.78%	-0.55%

VAW vs. GNR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAW has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GNR's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAW vs. GNR - Dividend Comparison

VAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than GNR's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GNR SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF	2.53%	2.76%	4.73%	3.37%	4.37%	3.44%	2.78%	3.84%	3.51%	2.40%	2.06%	4.59%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.40%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAW and GNR in my portfolio?

VAW and GNR have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VAW or GNR?

VAW has higher volatility (5.44%) compared to GNR (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAW dropped -62.17% vs GNR's -51.37%.

Which ETF is better, VAW or GNR?

On 10-year performance, GNR leads with 10.08% vs 9.60% for VAW. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GNR has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VAW or GNR?

Over the 10-year period, GNR has performed better with a 10.08% return vs 9.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VAW or GNR?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GNR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VAW or GNR?

GNR has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.40% for VAW.

What is the main difference between VAW and GNR?

VAW is categorized as Materials, while GNR is Natural Resources. VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index, while GNR tracks S&P Global Natural Resources Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VAW and 0.40% for GNR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GNR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.01), 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.