VIG vs. 4GLD.DE

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) and 4GLD.DE (Xetra-Gold) are both exchange-traded funds - VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while 4GLD.DE is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIG returned 13.24%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for 4GLD.DE. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for 4GLD.DE.

Performance

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and Xetra-Gold (4GLD.DE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VIG is traded in USD, while 4GLD.DE is traded in EUR. To make them comparable, the 4GLD.DE values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a 7.68% return, which is significantly higher than 4GLD.DE's -4.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VIG having a 13.24% annualized return and 4GLD.DE not far behind at 12.64%.

VIG

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 7.68%
• 6M: 6.99%
• 1Y: 18.23%
• 3Y*: 15.98%
• 5Y*: 10.74%
• 10Y*: 13.24%

4GLD.DE

• 1D: 2.82%
• 1M: -10.21%
• YTD: -4.13%
• 6M: -2.05%
• 1Y: 24.35%
• 3Y*: 29.42%
• 5Y*: 17.54%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.68%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%
4GLD.DE Xetra-Gold	-4.13%	68.58%	26.88%	12.78%	0.68%	-3.06%	23.04%	18.91%	-1.62%	12.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VIG and 4GLD.DE is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2009	0.07

The correlation between VIG and 4GLD.DE shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (10 years) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 60
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

4GLD.DE

4GLD.DE Risk / Return Rank: 30
4GLD.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
4GLD.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
4GLD.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 34
4GLD.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
4GLD.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and Xetra-Gold (4GLD.DE). 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.

	VIG	4GLD.DE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	0.97	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	1.37	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.19	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	1.08	+1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	3.28	+6.06

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIG Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is higher than the 4GLD.DE Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIG and 4GLD.DE, 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

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, which is greater than 4GLD.DE's maximum drawdown of -44.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and 4GLD.DE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIG	4GLD.DE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.81%	-44.26%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.91%	-22.52%	+14.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-22.52%	+7.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.39%	-22.52%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.72%	-22.52%	-9.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-20.33%	+20.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.51%	-17.59%	+12.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	7.40%	-5.44%

Volatility

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is 2.93%, while Xetra-Gold (4GLD.DE) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that VIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than 4GLD.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIG	4GLD.DE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	7.56%	-4.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	21.74%	-13.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.19%	24.91%	-14.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.25%	17.59%	-3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.06%	15.77%	+0.29%

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than 4GLD.DE's 0.00% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VIG vs. 4GLD.DE - Dividend Comparison

VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while 4GLD.DE has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
4GLD.DE Xetra-Gold	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.47%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIG and 4GLD.DE in my portfolio?

VIG and 4GLD.DE have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VIG or 4GLD.DE?

On fees, 4GLD.DE is cheaper at 0.00% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIG or 4GLD.DE?

4GLD.DE is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VIG.

What is the main difference between VIG and 4GLD.DE?

VIG is categorized as Dividend, while 4GLD.DE is Gold. VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while 4GLD.DE tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Deutsche Börse Commodities. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VIG and 0.00% for 4GLD.DE.