VOX vs. CRTC
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) and CRTC (Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while CRTC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VOX returned 10.81% vs 17.24% for CRTC. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VOX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for CRTC.
Performance
VOX vs. CRTC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -2.41% return, which is significantly lower than CRTC's 9.47% return.
VOX
- 1D
- 3.45%
- 1M
- 0.11%
- 6M
- -4.92%
- YTD
- -2.41%
- 1Y
- 10.81%
- 3Y*
- 21.07%
- 5Y*
- 6.63%
- 10Y*
- 8.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.76%
CRTC
- 1D
- 2.36%
- 1M
- 3.10%
- 6M
- 7.08%
- YTD
- 9.47%
- 1Y
- 17.24%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 20.10%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $249.56K | $623.71K | $501.58K | |
| $68.75M | $60.11M | $55.51M |
VOX vs. CRTC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -2.41% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 5.47% |
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | 9.47% | 18.69% | 18.05% | 7.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between VOX and CRTC is 0.67, 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. | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2023 | 0.73 |
The correlation between VOX and CRTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VOX vs. CRTC — Risk / Return Rank
VOX
CRTC
VOX vs. CRTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC). 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.
| VOX | CRTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.61 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.22 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.80 | 1.91 | -1.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.43 | 6.01 | -3.58 |
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Drawdowns
VOX vs. CRTC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, which is greater than CRTC's maximum drawdown of -19.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and CRTC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VOX | CRTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.18% | -19.07% | -38.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -9.05% | -4.51% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.15% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.76% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.76% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.69% | -0.47% | -5.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.87% | -2.23% | -9.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.46% | 2.88% | +1.58% |
Volatility
VOX vs. CRTC - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) at 4.30%. This indicates that VOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CRTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VOX | CRTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.56% | 4.30% | +3.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.82% | 11.00% | +2.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.29% | 14.04% | +3.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.45% | 15.82% | +5.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.03% | 15.82% | +5.21% |
VOX vs. CRTC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VOX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than CRTC's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
VOX vs. CRTC - Dividend Comparison
VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than CRTC's 0.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF | 0.87% | 1.03% | 1.13% | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 1.04% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.03% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.73% | 0.90% | 2.77% | 3.83% | 2.67% | 3.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VOX and CRTC have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VOX has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to CRTC (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOX dropped -57.18% vs CRTC's -19.07%.
On 1-year performance, CRTC leads with 17.24% vs 10.81% for VOX. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, CRTC has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, CRTC has performed better with a 17.24% return vs 10.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for CRTC.
VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.87% for CRTC.
VOX is categorized as Communications Equities, while CRTC is Technology Equities. VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while CRTC tracks Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VOX and 0.35% for CRTC.
CRTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.63), 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.
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