VOX vs. VOO
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOX returned 8.39%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
VOX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -5.59% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 9.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VOX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 8.39%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.
VOX
- 1D
- -2.41%
- 1M
- -6.74%
- YTD
- -5.59%
- 6M
- -5.26%
- 1Y
- 13.76%
- 3Y*
- 21.71%
- 5Y*
- 6.17%
- 10Y*
- 8.39%
VOO
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 9.75%
- 6M
- 9.30%
- 1Y
- 26.77%
- 3Y*
- 21.36%
- 5Y*
- 13.58%
- 10Y*
- 15.77%
VOX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -5.59% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 44.81% | -38.85% | 13.83% | 29.12% | 28.03% | -16.75% | -5.50% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 9.75% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between VOX and VOO is 0.71, 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 | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.77 |
The correlation between VOX and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VOX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
VOX
VOO
VOX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.39 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.02 | 3.02 | -2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.65 | 13.58 | -9.93 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VOX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and VOO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VOX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.18% | -33.99% | -23.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -8.90% | -4.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.15% | -18.69% | -2.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.76% | -24.52% | -22.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.76% | -33.99% | -12.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.76% | -1.74% | -7.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.90% | -3.68% | -8.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.78% | 1.98% | +1.80% |
Volatility
VOX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) has a higher volatility of 5.45% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 4.60%. This indicates that VOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VOX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.45% | 4.60% | +0.85% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.94% | 9.73% | +2.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.83% | 12.39% | +3.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.24% | 16.90% | +4.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.94% | 18.05% | +2.89% |
VOX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VOX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO'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
VOX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, which matches VOO's 1.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.04% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
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 VOO have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VOX has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to VOO (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOX dropped -57.18% vs VOO's -33.99%.
On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.77% vs 8.39% for VOX. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.77% return vs 8.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VOX.
VOX and VOO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.04%.
VOX is categorized as Communications Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VOX and 0.03% for VOO.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.87), 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.
Find the right allocation for VOX and VOO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer