VEA vs. PIT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck. VEA is passively managed, while PIT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VEA returned 19.03%/yr vs 21.53%/yr for PIT. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PIT.

Performance

VEA vs. PIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly lower than PIT's 32.48% 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%

PIT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -9.34%
• YTD: 32.48%
• 6M: 34.12%
• 1Y: 45.92%
• 3Y*: 21.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VEA vs. PIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.73%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-0.73%
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	32.48%	21.63%	6.77%	-4.54%	1.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and PIT is -0.07, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.17

The correlation between VEA and PIT shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.17 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VEA vs. PIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 62
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

PIT

PIT Risk / Return Rank: 82
PIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
PIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
PIT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PIT Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

VEA vs. PIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). 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	PIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.28	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.84	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.40	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	4.66	-2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.92	15.95	-6.03

VEA vs. PIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the PIT Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and PIT, 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. PIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than PIT's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and PIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	PIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-12.27%	-48.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-10.56%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-12.27%	-1.18%
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	-1.06%	-10.56%	+9.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.28%	-4.02%	-9.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	3.08%	-0.06%

Volatility

VEA vs. PIT - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) at 4.99%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	PIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	4.99%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.38%	19.29%	-4.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	21.58%	-5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.72%	17.50%	-0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.50%	-0.10%

VEA vs. PIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PIT's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. PIT - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than PIT's 6.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF	6.73%	8.92%	3.59%	6.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both VEA and PIT in my portfolio?

VEA and PIT have a correlation of -0.07, 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 PIT?

VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to PIT (4.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs PIT's -12.27%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or PIT?

On 3-year performance, PIT leads with 21.53% vs 19.03% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PIT has been the lower-risk option at 4.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or PIT?

Over the 3-year period, PIT has performed better with a 21.53% return vs 19.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or PIT?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PIT.

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

PIT has the higher dividend yield at 6.73%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.

What is the main difference between VEA and PIT?

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while PIT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.55% for PIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 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.