VEA vs. PATN

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and PATN (Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index while PATN tracks the Nasdaq International Patent Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VEA returned 30.82% vs 55.03% for PATN. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for PATN.

Performance

VEA vs. PATN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF (PATN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 16.41% return, which is significantly lower than PATN's 32.10% return.

VEA

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: 1.99%
• 6M: 9.00%
• YTD: 16.41%
• 1Y: 30.82%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: 10.24%
• ALL TIME*: 5.25%

PATN

• 1D: 2.61%
• 1M: -0.81%
• 6M: 20.35%
• YTD: 32.10%
• 1Y: 55.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 37.46%

*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)
PATN Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF	$6.28M	$4.68M	$3.82M
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	$653.63M	$753.15M	$792.32M

VEA vs. PATN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	16.41%	35.16%	-6.42%
PATN Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF	32.10%	40.01%	-1.73%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and PATN is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2024	0.87

The correlation between VEA and PATN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. PATN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	PATN
Financial Services	23.1%	0.7%
Technology	18.4%	43.9%
Industrials	17.9%	17.5%
Healthcare	7.9%	9.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	10.5%
Basic Materials	6.9%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	6.2%
Energy	4.5%	0.9%
Communication Services	3.2%	7.0%
Utilities	3.1%	-
Real Estate	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

VEA vs. PATN — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 69
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 72

PATN

PATN Risk / Return Rank: 82
PATN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PATN Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PATN Omega Ratio Rank: 82
PATN Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PATN Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

VEA vs. PATN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF (PATN). 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	PATN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.18	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.77	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.39	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	3.84	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	11.99	-2.05

VEA vs. PATN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the PATN Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and PATN, 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

VEA vs. PATN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than PATN's maximum drawdown of -16.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and PATN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	PATN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-16.77%	-43.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-14.40%	+2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-6.98%	+6.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.19%	-3.45%	-9.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	4.60%	-1.49%

Volatility

VEA vs. PATN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is 5.44%, while Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF (PATN) has a volatility of 8.78%. This indicates that VEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PATN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	PATN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.44%	8.78%	-3.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	22.98%	-7.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.29%	25.44%	-8.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	22.74%	-5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.22%	22.74%	-5.52%

VEA vs. PATN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PATN's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. PATN - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than PATN's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PATN Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF	1.64%	2.25%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.51%	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

Can I hold both VEA and PATN in my portfolio?

VEA and PATN have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or PATN?

PATN has higher volatility (8.78%) compared to VEA (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs PATN's -16.77%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or PATN?

On 1-year performance, PATN leads with 55.03% vs 30.82% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 5.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or PATN?

Over the 1-year period, PATN has performed better with a 55.03% return vs 30.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or PATN?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for PATN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEA or PATN?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.51%, compared with 1.64% for PATN.

What is the main difference between VEA and PATN?

VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while PATN tracks Nasdaq International Patent Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.65% for PATN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PATN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.80), 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.