VO vs. VT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VO returned 11.46%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for VT. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.

Performance

VO vs. VT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VO achieves a 13.50% return, which is significantly higher than VT's 12.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VO has underperformed VT with an annualized return of 11.46%, while VT has yielded a comparatively higher 12.38% annualized return.

VO

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 1.58%
• 6M: 10.76%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 1Y: 17.71%
• 3Y*: 15.53%
• 5Y*: 7.98%
• 10Y*: 11.46%
• ALL TIME*: 10.37%

VT

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: 0.92%
• 6M: 8.48%
• YTD: 12.40%
• 1Y: 24.89%
• 3Y*: 19.46%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 12.38%
• ALL TIME*: 8.87%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	$194.14M	$292.34M	$238.59M
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	$432.10M	$371.73M	$483.41M

VO vs. VT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	13.50%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.40%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VO and VT is 0.80, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008	0.91

The correlation between VO and VT shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (1 year) to 0.91 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VO vs. VT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VO	VT
Industrials	19.9%	11.7%
Technology	18.2%	31.2%
Financial Services	13.1%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	9.0%
Utilities	8.4%	2.5%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.3%
Energy	7.4%	3.6%
Real Estate	5.1%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.5%
Basic Materials	3.9%	3.8%
Communication Services	2.7%	7.4%

Return for Risk

VO vs. VT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 60
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 77
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VO vs. VT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). 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.

	VO	VT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.80	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.50	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	2.58	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.33	10.76	-2.42

VO vs. VT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VO Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the VT Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VO and VT, 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

VO vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VO drawdown since its inception was -58.87%, which is greater than VT's maximum drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VO and VT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VO	VT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.87%	-50.27%	-8.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-9.67%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.02%	-16.51%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-26.38%	-1.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.37%	-34.24%	-5.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.73%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.81%	-6.97%	-0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	2.32%	-0.19%

Volatility

VO vs. VT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is 2.31%, while Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a volatility of 4.14%. This indicates that VO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VO	VT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	4.14%	-1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	11.69%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.58%	13.96%	-1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.60%	16.23%	+1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	17.19%	+1.68%

VO vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VT's 0.06% 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

VO vs. VT - Dividend Comparison

VO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than VT's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.31%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.58%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VO and VT in my portfolio?

VO and VT have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VT?

VT has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to VO (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VO dropped -58.87% vs VT's -50.27%.

Which ETF is better, VO or VT?

On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.38% vs 11.46% for VO. On fees, VO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VO has been the lower-risk option at 2.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VO or VT?

Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 11.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VO or VT?

VO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for VT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VO or VT?

VT has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.31% for VO.

What is the main difference between VO and VT?

VO is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VT is Global Equities. VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VO and 0.06% for VT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.42), 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.