VEA vs. FRDM
VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEA returned 9.51%/yr vs 18.68%/yr for FRDM. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.
Performance
VEA vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 40.13% return.
VEA
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 3.58%
- YTD
- 14.73%
- 6M
- 16.65%
- 1Y
- 31.41%
- 3Y*
- 19.03%
- 5Y*
- 9.51%
- 10Y*
- 10.72%
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 9.04%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
VEA vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.73% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 11.54% |
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between VEA and FRDM is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.81 |
The correlation between VEA and FRDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VEA vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank
VEA
FRDM
VEA vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.
| VEA | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.54 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 5.02 | -2.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.92 | 19.36 | -9.44 |
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Drawdowns
VEA vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than FRDM's maximum drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and FRDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEA | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.68% | -40.49% | -20.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.63% | -16.87% | +5.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.45% | -16.87% | +3.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.71% | -29.25% | -0.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.73% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.06% | -4.36% | +3.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.28% | -7.09% | -6.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 4.37% | -1.35% |
Volatility
VEA vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is 6.84%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 14.27%. This indicates that VEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VEA | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.84% | 14.27% | -7.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.38% | 24.39% | -10.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.58% | 26.86% | -10.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 21.35% | -4.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.40% | 23.09% | -5.69% |
VEA vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
VEA vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison
VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, more than FRDM's 1.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VEA and FRDM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to VEA (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs FRDM's -40.49%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 9.51% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 9.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.
VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 1.56% for FRDM.
VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FRDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Freedom Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.49% for FRDM.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.81), 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.
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