VIG vs. HDLB

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB).

VIG and HDLB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VIG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers Select Index. It was launched on Dec 19, 2013. HDLB is a passively managed fund by UBS that tracks the performance of the Solactive US High Dividend Low Volatility (USD)(TR) (200%). It was launched on Oct 24, 2019. Both VIG and HDLB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VIG vs. HDLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VIG vs. HDLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	-1.48%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	5.01%
HDLB ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B	15.23%	27.26%	28.21%	-4.12%	-11.46%	62.67%	-50.94%	7.93%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a -1.48% return, which is significantly lower than HDLB's 15.23% return.

VIG

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -4.68%
• YTD: -1.48%
• 6M: 0.22%
• 1Y: 13.20%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

HDLB

• 1D: -2.03%
• 1M: -9.81%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 5.83%
• 1Y: 18.66%
• 3Y*: 24.29%
• 5Y*: 14.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

VIG vs. HDLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than HDLB's 1.65% expense ratio.

HDLB

ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B

VIG

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Return for Risk

VIG vs. HDLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 47
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 52

HDLB

HDLB Risk / Return Rank: 31
HDLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
HDLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
HDLB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
HDLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
HDLB Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. HDLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB). 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.

	VIG	HDLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.57	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	0.95	+0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.13	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	0.86	+0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	2.89	+2.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIG vs. HDLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIG Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is higher than the HDLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIG and HDLB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VIG	HDLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	0.57	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.48	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.12	+0.46

Correlation

The correlation between VIG and HDLB is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VIG vs. HDLB - Dividend Comparison

VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than HDLB's 11.03% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.60%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%
HDLB ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B	11.03%	12.20%	10.09%	12.36%	10.86%	8.07%	16.23%	0.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VIG vs. HDLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, smaller than the maximum HDLB drawdown of -78.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and HDLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIG	HDLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.81%	-78.70%	+31.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.83%	-20.94%	+10.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.39%	-43.81%	+23.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.73%	-9.81%	+4.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.55%	-27.92%	+22.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	6.26%	-3.81%

Volatility

VIG vs. HDLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is 4.05%, while ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB) has a volatility of 8.40%. This indicates that VIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HDLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIG	HDLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	8.40%	-4.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.82%	20.47%	-12.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.28%	32.76%	-17.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.26%	30.43%	-16.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.04%	43.94%	-27.90%