VDC vs. METL

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners 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 METL is a Natural Resources fund actively managed by Sprott. VDC is passively managed, while METL is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. VDC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for METL.

Performance

VDC vs. METL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 9.80% return, which is significantly higher than METL's -6.10% return.

VDC

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 3.84%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 1Y: 7.27%
• 3Y*: 7.55%
• 5Y*: 7.07%
• 10Y*: 7.53%
• ALL TIME*: 9.43%

METL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -15.36%
• 6M: -19.31%
• YTD: -6.10%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

VDC vs. METL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	9.80%	-3.10%
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	-6.10%	28.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VDC and METL is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2025	-0.08

Return for Risk

VDC vs. METL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 21
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 20

METL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. METL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). 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.

	VDC	METL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.50	—	—

Drawdowns

VDC vs. METL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, which is greater than METL's maximum drawdown of -28.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and METL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDC	METL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-28.80%	-5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	—	—
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	-5.02%	-28.80%	+23.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-10.00%	+6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VDC	METL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.38%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.86%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	44.16%	-30.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.35%	44.16%	-30.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.73%	44.16%	-29.43%

VDC vs. METL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than METL's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDC vs. METL - Dividend Comparison

VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%, more than METL's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	1.06%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.09%	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 METL in my portfolio?

VDC and METL have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDC or METL?

On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDC or METL?

VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

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

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.09%, compared with 1.06% for METL.

What is the main difference between VDC and METL?

VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while METL is Natural Resources. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDC and 0.89% for METL.