VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VFV.TO (Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF) and HEQT.TO (Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFV.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while HEQT.TO is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Horizons. VFV.TO is passively managed, while HEQT.TO is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFV.TO returned 16.33%/yr vs 12.70%/yr for HEQT.TO. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFV.TO charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HEQT.TO.

Performance

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) and Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF (HEQT.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFV.TO achieves a 11.07% return, which is significantly lower than HEQT.TO's 13.37% return.

VFV.TO

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 11.07%
• 6M: 10.94%
• 1Y: 29.19%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 16.33%
• 10Y*: 16.12%

HEQT.TO

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: 13.37%
• 6M: 13.85%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 12.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFV.TO Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF	11.07%	12.18%	35.23%	23.23%	-12.58%	27.51%	15.61%	5.79%
HEQT.TO Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF	13.37%	19.82%	23.83%	22.29%	-18.95%	22.54%	16.34%	7.44%

Correlation

The correlation between VFV.TO and HEQT.TO is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2019	0.78

The correlation between VFV.TO and HEQT.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFV.TO

VFV.TO Risk / Return Rank: 79
VFV.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VFV.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VFV.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VFV.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VFV.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

HEQT.TO

HEQT.TO Risk / Return Rank: 84
HEQT.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
HEQT.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
HEQT.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 86
HEQT.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
HEQT.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) and Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF (HEQT.TO). 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.

	VFV.TO	HEQT.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.43	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.34	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.45	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.60	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	15.68	-3.58

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFV.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the HEQT.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFV.TO and HEQT.TO, 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

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFV.TO drawdown since its inception was -27.43%, smaller than the maximum HEQT.TO drawdown of -31.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFV.TO and HEQT.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFV.TO	HEQT.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.43%	-31.82%	+4.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.62%	-8.49%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.05%	-15.33%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-24.89%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-0.75%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.35%	-5.17%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	1.95%	+0.33%

Volatility

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) is 4.49%, while Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF (HEQT.TO) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that VFV.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEQT.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFV.TO	HEQT.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.92%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	10.45%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.86%	12.59%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.99%	14.98%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.60%	16.90%	-0.30%

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFV.TO has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than HEQT.TO's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFV.TO vs. HEQT.TO - Dividend Comparison

VFV.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than HEQT.TO's 1.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEQT.TO Horizons All-Equity Asset Allocation ETF	1.62%	1.70%	1.67%	0.84%	0.03%	0.02%	1.40%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFV.TO Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF	0.84%	0.92%	0.99%	1.20%	1.31%	1.06%	1.33%	1.55%	1.69%	1.51%	1.65%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFV.TO and HEQT.TO in my portfolio?

VFV.TO and HEQT.TO have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VFV.TO or HEQT.TO?

On fees, VFV.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFV.TO or HEQT.TO?

VFV.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HEQT.TO.

What is the main difference between VFV.TO and HEQT.TO?

VFV.TO is categorized as S&P 500, while HEQT.TO is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Horizons. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VFV.TO and 0.20% for HEQT.TO.