VDC vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market 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 VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDC returned 7.72%/yr vs 14.63%/yr for VTI. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VDC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VDC vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VDC having a 10.27% return and VTI slightly higher at 10.49%. Over the past 10 years, VDC has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 7.72%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.63% annualized return.

VDC

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 10.27%
• 1Y: 8.60%
• 3Y*: 7.73%
• 5Y*: 6.96%
• 10Y*: 7.72%
• ALL TIME*: 9.44%

VTI

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 8.77%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.63%
• ALL TIME*: 9.58%

*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)
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	$33.48M	$33.44M	$37.93M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.06B	$1.16B	$1.24B

VDC vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	10.27%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.49%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VDC and VTI is -0.08, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.66

The correlation between VDC and VTI shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.66 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDC vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDC	VTI
Consumer Defensive	97.1%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	9.4%
Technology	0.5%	36.1%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.9%
Industrials	0.3%	10.2%
Healthcare	0.0%	9.7%
Communication Services	-	9.1%
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

VDC vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 27
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VDC vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.52	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	2.12	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.27	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.97	2.23	-1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.82	9.62	-7.80

VDC vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDC Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDC and VTI, 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

VDC vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDC	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-55.45%	+21.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-8.92%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.06%	-19.30%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.55%	-25.36%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.31%	-35.00%	+9.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.61%	-1.36%	-3.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-7.99%	+4.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.95%	2.07%	+2.88%

Volatility

VDC vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a higher volatility of 5.87% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.46%. This indicates that VDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDC	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.87%	3.46%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.43%	10.24%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.79%	13.10%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.44%	17.51%	-4.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.76%	18.30%	-3.54%

VDC vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDC vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, more than VTI's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.08%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.06%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDC and VTI in my portfolio?

VDC and VTI 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 is riskier, VDC or VTI?

VDC has higher volatility (5.87%) compared to VTI (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDC dropped -34.24% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, VDC or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.63% vs 7.72% for VDC. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDC or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.63% return vs 7.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDC or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDC.

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

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.08%, compared with 1.06% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VDC and VTI?

VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDC and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.65), 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.