VDC vs. ALAI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and ALAI (Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while ALAI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Alger. VDC is passively managed, while ALAI is actively managed. Over the past year, VDC returned 1.70% vs 61.30% for ALAI. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. VDC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ALAI.

Performance

VDC vs. ALAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 5.63% return, which is significantly lower than ALAI's 26.20% return.

VDC

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -3.86%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 4.76%
• 1Y: 1.70%
• 3Y*: 7.53%
• 5Y*: 6.03%
• 10Y*: 7.57%

ALAI

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 11.99%
• YTD: 26.20%
• 6M: 24.67%
• 1Y: 61.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VDC vs. ALAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	5.63%	2.17%	8.53%
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	26.20%	39.81%	31.43%

Correlation

The correlation between VDC and ALAI is -0.24, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2024	-0.08

The correlation between VDC and ALAI shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to -0.08 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDC vs. ALAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDC	ALAI
Consumer Defensive	97.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	13.7%
Industrials	0.3%	3.2%
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	2.8%
Communication Services	-	20.1%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	2.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	55.9%
Utilities	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

VDC vs. ALAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 11
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 11

ALAI

ALAI Risk / Return Rank: 69
ALAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ALAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ALAI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ALAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ALAI Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VDC vs. ALAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI). 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.

	VDC	ALAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	2.56	-2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	3.17	-2.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.41	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.18	3.16	-2.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.38	10.14	-9.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDC vs. ALAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDC Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the ALAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDC and ALAI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VDC	ALAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	2.56	-2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.69	-1.02

Drawdowns

VDC vs. ALAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, which is greater than ALAI's maximum drawdown of -29.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and ALAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDC	ALAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-29.36%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-19.48%	+10.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.78%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.55%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.62%	-2.44%	-6.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.73%	-5.13%	+1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	6.06%	-1.57%

Volatility

VDC vs. ALAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is 4.04%, while Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) has a volatility of 7.11%. This indicates that VDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDC	ALAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	7.11%	-3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.74%	18.60%	-8.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.36%	24.06%	-11.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.13%	28.39%	-15.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.64%	28.39%	-13.75%

VDC vs. ALAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ALAI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDC vs. ALAI - Dividend Comparison

VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, more than ALAI's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALAI Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF	1.19%	1.50%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.17%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDC and ALAI in my portfolio?

VDC and ALAI have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDC or ALAI?

ALAI has higher volatility (7.11%) compared to VDC (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDC dropped -34.24% vs ALAI's -29.36%.

Which ETF is better, VDC or ALAI?

On 1-year performance, ALAI leads with 61.30% vs 1.70% for VDC. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDC or ALAI?

Over the 1-year period, ALAI has performed better with a 61.30% return vs 1.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDC or ALAI?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ALAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VDC or ALAI?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.17%, compared with 1.19% for ALAI.

What is the main difference between VDC and ALAI?

VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while ALAI is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Alger. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDC and 0.55% for ALAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 0.14), 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.