VPADX vs. VPL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VPADX (Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VPADX returned 10.86%/yr vs 10.87%/yr for VPL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VPADX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

VPADX vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VPADX) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VPADX having a 30.62% return and VPL slightly higher at 30.65%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VPADX having a 10.86% annualized return and VPL not far ahead at 10.87%.

VPADX

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 10.90%
• YTD: 30.62%
• 6M: 33.95%
• 1Y: 53.17%
• 3Y*: 23.43%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: 10.86%

VPL

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 10.55%
• YTD: 30.65%
• 6M: 33.92%
• 1Y: 52.92%
• 3Y*: 23.14%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

VPADX vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPADX Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	30.62%	33.15%	1.24%	15.55%	-15.24%	1.46%	16.56%	17.57%	-13.92%	28.62%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	30.65%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VPADX and VPL is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2005	0.96

The correlation between VPADX and VPL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPADX vs. VPL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPADX	VPL
Technology	22.6%	22.6%
Industrials	20.5%	20.5%
Financial Services	19.3%	19.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Basic Materials	7.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	5.0%	5.0%
Communication Services	4.8%	4.8%
Real Estate	4.3%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.5%
Energy	1.6%	1.6%
Utilities	1.6%	1.6%

Return for Risk

VPADX vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPADX

VPADX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VPADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VPADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VPADX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VPADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VPADX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 80
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

VPADX vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VPADX) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). 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.

	VPADX	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	2.72	+0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.55	+0.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.49	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	4.13	+0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.17	16.33	-0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPADX vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPADX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPADX and VPL, 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

	VPADX	VPL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	2.72	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.62	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.63	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.34	+0.03

Drawdowns

VPADX vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPADX drawdown since its inception was -55.28%, roughly equal to the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPADX and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPADX	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.28%	-55.49%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-13.33%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-16.35%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.17%	-31.09%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.67%	-33.90%	+0.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-11.64%	-0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	3.37%	+0.08%

Volatility

VPADX vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VPADX) is 6.44%, while Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a volatility of 7.31%. This indicates that VPADX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPADX	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.44%	7.31%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.10%	16.71%	-1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.51%	19.58%	-1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.43%	17.29%	-0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.24%	17.30%	-1.06%

VPADX vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPADX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VPL's 0.08% 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

VPADX vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

VPADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, which matches VPL's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPADX Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.70%	3.99%	3.13%	3.09%	2.73%	3.15%	1.79%	2.83%	3.03%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.72%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPADX and VPL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VPADX and VPL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VPADX or VPL?

VPL has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to VPADX (6.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPADX dropped -55.28% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.72), 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.