VO vs. NFFFX

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) and NFFFX (American Funds New World Fund) are both funds - VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while NFFFX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, VO returned 11.49%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for NFFFX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for NFFFX.

Performance

VO vs. NFFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VO achieves a 9.06% return, which is significantly lower than NFFFX's 10.87% return. Over the past 10 years, VO has outperformed NFFFX with an annualized return of 11.49%, while NFFFX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.73% annualized return.

VO

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 9.08%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 3Y*: 15.95%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

NFFFX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -2.89%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 12.63%
• 1Y: 26.88%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 5.93%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

VO vs. NFFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	9.06%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	10.87%	28.52%	6.78%	16.11%	-21.86%	4.98%	25.17%	27.89%	-12.08%	32.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VO and NFFFX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2008	0.79

The correlation between VO and NFFFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VO vs. NFFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 46
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

NFFFX

NFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 47
NFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
NFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
NFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
NFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
NFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

VO vs. NFFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX). 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.

	VO	NFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.77	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	2.43	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	2.11	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.96	8.58	-0.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VO vs. NFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VO Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the NFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VO and NFFFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VO	NFFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.77	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.38	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.66	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.37	+0.13

Drawdowns

VO vs. NFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VO drawdown since its inception was -58.87%, which is greater than NFFFX's maximum drawdown of -50.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VO and NFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VO	NFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.87%	-50.17%	-8.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-13.01%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.02%	-15.05%	-3.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-33.48%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.37%	-33.48%	-5.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.68%	-5.68%	+4.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-9.80%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	3.20%	-1.05%

Volatility

VO vs. NFFFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is 3.50%, while American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX) has a volatility of 6.72%. This indicates that VO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NFFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VO	NFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	6.72%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.47%	13.50%	-4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.49%	15.55%	-3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.62%	15.56%	+2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.95%	16.20%	+2.75%

VO vs. NFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than NFFFX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

VO vs. NFFFX - Dividend Comparison

VO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, less than NFFFX's 5.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	5.42%	6.01%	4.01%	2.78%	1.21%	7.23%	0.35%	3.95%	2.62%	2.17%	1.28%	0.94%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.37%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VO and NFFFX in my portfolio?

VO and NFFFX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VO or NFFFX?

NFFFX has higher volatility (6.72%) compared to VO (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VO dropped -58.87% vs NFFFX's -50.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.37), 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.