VDC vs. GAL
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL).
VDC and GAL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VDC is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. GAL is an actively managed fund by State Street. It was launched on Apr 25, 2012.
Performance
VDC vs. GAL - Performance Comparison
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VDC vs. GAL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 6.90% | 2.17% | 13.30% | 2.38% | -1.79% | 17.64% | 10.86% | 26.11% | -7.79% | 11.85% |
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF | 0.38% | 15.95% | 9.85% | 13.32% | -13.41% | 12.23% | 9.33% | 19.59% | -7.71% | 18.67% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly higher than GAL's 0.38% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDC having a 7.72% annualized return and GAL not far behind at 7.52%.
VDC
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- -7.52%
- YTD
- 6.90%
- 6M
- 6.26%
- 1Y
- 4.94%
- 3Y*
- 7.68%
- 5Y*
- 7.34%
- 10Y*
- 7.72%
GAL
- 1D
- 1.94%
- 1M
- -4.19%
- YTD
- 0.38%
- 6M
- 2.74%
- 1Y
- 14.27%
- 3Y*
- 11.53%
- 5Y*
- 6.29%
- 10Y*
- 7.52%
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VDC vs. GAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDC has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than GAL's 0.35% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VDC vs. GAL — Risk / Return Rank
VDC
GAL
VDC vs. GAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL). 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 | GAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.36 | 1.31 | -0.95 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.62 | 1.88 | -1.26 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.28 | -0.20 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.71 | 1.78 | -1.07 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.76 | 8.25 | -6.49 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VDC | GAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 | 1.31 | -0.95 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 | 0.61 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.53 | 0.67 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 0.65 | +0.03 |
Correlation
The correlation between VDC and GAL is 0.56, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
VDC vs. GAL - Dividend Comparison
VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than GAL's 3.38% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 2.15% | 2.26% | 2.33% | 2.65% | 2.37% | 2.14% | 2.50% | 2.44% | 2.78% | 2.52% | 2.39% | 2.55% |
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF | 3.38% | 3.47% | 2.99% | 2.56% | 6.19% | 4.05% | 2.14% | 2.96% | 2.43% | 2.26% | 2.43% | 3.10% |
Drawdowns
VDC vs. GAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, which is greater than GAL's maximum drawdown of -28.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and GAL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDC | GAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.24% | -28.31% | -5.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.28% | -8.02% | -1.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.55% | -21.14% | +4.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.31% | -28.31% | +3.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.52% | -4.45% | -3.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.71% | -3.78% | +0.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.73% | 1.73% | +2.00% |
Volatility
VDC vs. GAL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is 3.89%, while SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) has a volatility of 4.37%. This indicates that VDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDC | GAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.89% | 4.37% | -0.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.98% | 6.96% | +2.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.75% | 10.92% | +2.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.98% | 10.41% | +2.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.59% | 11.32% | +3.27% |