VOO vs. T

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.35%/yr vs 2.86%/yr for T. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VOO vs. T - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and AT&T Inc. (T). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than T's -7.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed T with an annualized return of 15.35%, while T has yielded a comparatively lower 2.86% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 13.49%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

T

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -10.57%
• YTD: -7.40%
• 6M: -7.40%
• 1Y: -16.38%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

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

VOO vs. T - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
T AT&T Inc.	-7.40%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and T is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.41

The correlation between VOO and T shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VOO vs. T — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 69
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 11
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
T Omega Ratio Rank: 13
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
T Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

VOO vs. T - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and AT&T Inc. (T). 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.

	VOO	T	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	-0.75	+2.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	-0.98	+3.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	0.89	+0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	-0.75	+3.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	-1.59	+14.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. T - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the T Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and T, 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

	VOO	T	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	-0.75	+2.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.28	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.12	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.38	+0.50

Drawdowns

VOO vs. T - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum T drawdown of -64.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and T.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	T	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-64.15%	+30.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-21.87%	+12.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-21.87%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-32.01%	+7.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-42.35%	+8.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-21.87%	+19.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-15.72%	+12.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	10.34%	-8.42%

Volatility

VOO vs. T - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.73%, while AT&T Inc. (T) has a volatility of 7.50%. This indicates that VOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than T based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	T	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	7.50%	-3.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	17.57%	-8.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	21.98%	-9.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	23.97%	-7.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	23.71%	-5.68%

Dividends

VOO vs. T - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than T's 4.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
T AT&T Inc.	4.93%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and T in my portfolio?

VOO and T have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or T?

T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to VOO (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs T's -64.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs -0.75), 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.