VDADX vs. TDVG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) and TDVG (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF) are both funds - VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while TDVG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. VDADX is passively managed, while TDVG is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDADX returned 10.49%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for TDVG. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VDADX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for TDVG.

Performance

VDADX vs. TDVG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) and T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDADX achieves a 10.06% return, which is significantly lower than TDVG's 10.93% return.

VDADX

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 0.54%
• 6M: 8.00%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 1Y: 19.48%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 13.01%
• ALL TIME*: 11.90%

TDVG

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.47%
• 6M: 9.09%
• YTD: 10.93%
• 1Y: 19.23%
• 3Y*: 14.55%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.28%

*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)
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	$2.11M	$3.07M	$2.63M
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VDADX vs. TDVG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.06%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	14.73%
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	10.93%	14.80%	13.45%	13.95%	-10.15%	26.20%	12.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VDADX and TDVG 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 (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2020	0.96

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

VDADX vs. TDVG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDADX	TDVG
Technology	26.9%	27.4%
Financial Services	20.3%	19.3%
Healthcare	17.8%	12.8%
Industrials	11.9%	14.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	6.7%
Basic Materials	3.4%	2.8%
Utilities	3.0%	3.2%
Energy	3.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	0.5%	0.8%
Real Estate	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

VDADX vs. TDVG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

TDVG

TDVG Risk / Return Rank: 80
TDVG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
TDVG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
TDVG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TDVG Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TDVG Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

VDADX vs. TDVG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) and T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG). 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.

	VDADX	TDVG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.87	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	2.69	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.34	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.51	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.99	10.48	-1.49

VDADX vs. TDVG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDADX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the TDVG Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDADX and TDVG, 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

VDADX vs. TDVG - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	VDADX	TDVG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.70%	-19.20%	-12.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.93%	-7.24%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-14.02%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.42%	-19.20%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.92%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-3.67%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.73%	+0.22%

Volatility

VDADX vs. TDVG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) has a higher volatility of 2.63% compared to T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF (TDVG) at 2.20%. This indicates that VDADX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDVG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDADX	TDVG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	2.20%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.64%	7.30%	+0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.19%	9.74%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.25%	13.87%	+0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	13.81%	+2.35%

VDADX vs. TDVG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VDADX vs. TDVG - Dividend Comparison

VDADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than TDVG's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TDVG T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth ETF	0.96%	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	1.47%	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 VDADX and TDVG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VDADX and TDVG 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, VDADX or TDVG?

VDADX has higher volatility (2.63%) compared to TDVG (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDADX dropped -31.70% vs TDVG's -19.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TDVG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.72), 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.