VOTE vs. VEA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VOTE (TCW Transform 500 ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOTE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large Cap Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VOTE returned 12.43%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for VEA. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VOTE charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

VOTE vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TCW Transform 500 ETF (VOTE) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOTE achieves a 10.03% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 13.84% return.

VOTE

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: 8.71%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 1Y: 21.16%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.94%

VEA

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.27%
• 6M: 7.42%
• YTD: 13.84%
• 1Y: 29.71%
• 3Y*: 18.08%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 5.13%

*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)
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	$674.44M	$796.70M	$806.62M
VOTE TCW Transform 500 ETF	$1.77M	$1.64M	$2.40M

VOTE vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VOTE TCW Transform 500 ETF	10.03%	17.95%	25.23%	27.60%	-19.74%	11.77%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	13.84%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	0.29%

Correlation

The correlation between VOTE and VEA is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2021	0.77

The correlation between VOTE and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOTE vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOTE	VEA
Technology	38.5%	18.4%
Financial Services	11.5%	23.1%
Communication Services	9.8%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	7.3%
Healthcare	9.0%	7.9%
Industrials	8.8%	17.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	5.3%
Energy	3.0%	4.5%
Utilities	2.1%	3.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	6.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VOTE vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOTE

VOTE Risk / Return Rank: 64
VOTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VOTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VOTE Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VOTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOTE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 75
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VOTE vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TCW Transform 500 ETF (VOTE) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	VOTE	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.71	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.37	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.31	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.53	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.96	9.44	-0.48

VOTE vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOTE Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOTE and VEA, 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

VOTE vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOTE drawdown since its inception was -25.71%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOTE and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOTE	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.71%	-60.68%	+34.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-11.63%	+2.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.08%	-13.45%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-29.71%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-2.45%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-13.20%	+7.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	3.10%	-0.95%

Volatility

VOTE vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TCW Transform 500 ETF (VOTE) is 3.59%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.40%. This indicates that VOTE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOTE	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	5.40%	-1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	15.40%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	17.25%	-4.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.20%	16.84%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	17.21%	-0.13%

VOTE vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOTE has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% 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

VOTE vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VOTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than VEA's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.57%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
VOTE TCW Transform 500 ETF	0.94%	1.03%	1.18%	1.33%	1.54%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOTE and VEA in my portfolio?

VOTE and VEA have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOTE or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to VOTE (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOTE dropped -25.71% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, VOTE or VEA?

On 5-year performance, VOTE leads with 12.43% vs 9.76% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOTE has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOTE or VEA?

Over the 5-year period, VOTE has performed better with a 12.43% return vs 9.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOTE or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VOTE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOTE or VEA?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 0.94% for VOTE.

What is the main difference between VOTE and VEA?

VOTE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VOTE tracks Morningstar US Large Cap Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: TCW and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOTE and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.47), 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.