VFMV vs. PDGIX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and PDGIX (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund) are both funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while PDGIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMV returned 9.55%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for PDGIX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for PDGIX.

Performance

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFMV achieves a 8.57% return, which is significantly higher than PDGIX's 7.64% return.

VFMV

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 6M: 7.81%
• 1Y: 12.36%
• 3Y*: 14.22%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —

PDGIX

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 7.64%
• 6M: 7.36%
• 1Y: 16.36%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 10.10%
• 10Y*: 13.06%

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

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	8.57%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%
PDGIX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund	7.64%	14.91%	13.63%	13.82%	-10.08%	26.19%	14.06%	31.90%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and PDGIX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.88

The correlation between VFMV and PDGIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. PDGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

PDGIX

PDGIX Risk / Return Rank: 54
PDGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
PDGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PDGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PDGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
PDGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX). 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.

	VFMV	PDGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.70	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.44	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.30	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	2.31	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.03	9.42	-1.38

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the PDGIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV and PDGIX, 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

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, roughly equal to the maximum PDGIX drawdown of -33.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and PDGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	PDGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-33.17%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-7.32%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	-14.12%	+3.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-19.21%	+3.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-0.39%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-3.35%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.79%	-0.24%

Volatility

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is 2.30%, while T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund (PDGIX) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that VFMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PDGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFMV	PDGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	2.85%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.32%	7.79%	-1.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	9.94%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	14.09%	-2.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.23%	15.88%	-1.65%

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PDGIX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFMV vs. PDGIX - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, less than PDGIX's 7.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PDGIX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund	7.66%	8.16%	4.80%	2.90%	3.99%	2.09%	1.15%	2.44%	3.81%	1.89%	3.20%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.93%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and PDGIX in my portfolio?

VFMV and PDGIX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or PDGIX?

PDGIX has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to VFMV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs PDGIX's -33.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.41), 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.