VPL vs. SCZ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while SCZ is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPL returned 9.72%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for SCZ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for SCZ.

Performance

VPL vs. SCZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 21.68% return, which is significantly higher than SCZ's 7.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has outperformed SCZ with an annualized return of 9.72%, while SCZ has yielded a comparatively lower 8.33% annualized return.

VPL

• 1D: -3.32%
• 1M: -4.08%
• 6M: 15.16%
• YTD: 21.68%
• 1Y: 40.48%
• 3Y*: 19.23%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

SCZ

• 1D: -1.07%
• 1M: -1.65%
• 6M: 3.78%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 1Y: 17.29%
• 3Y*: 14.21%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

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

VPL vs. SCZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	21.68%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF	7.89%	32.08%	1.52%	12.98%	-21.27%	10.12%	11.71%	24.68%	-17.64%	32.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and SCZ is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007	0.86

The correlation between VPL and SCZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPL vs. SCZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPL	SCZ
Technology	28.2%	10.8%
Industrials	18.5%	24.2%
Financial Services	17.8%	12.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	12.3%
Basic Materials	7.1%	10.2%
Communication Services	4.9%	3.8%
Healthcare	4.4%	5.9%
Real Estate	3.8%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	4.7%
Utilities	1.4%	2.2%
Energy	1.3%	3.5%

Return for Risk

VPL vs. SCZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 70
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SCZ

SCZ Risk / Return Rank: 40
SCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

VPL vs. SCZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ). 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.

	VPL	SCZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.16	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	1.70	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.21	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	1.52	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	5.58	+5.26

VPL vs. SCZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is higher than the SCZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL and SCZ, 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

VPL vs. SCZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, smaller than the maximum SCZ drawdown of -61.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and SCZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	SCZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-61.86%	+6.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-11.43%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-15.06%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-36.87%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-41.07%	+7.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.89%	-3.28%	-5.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.60%	-13.00%	+1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	3.10%	+0.64%

Volatility

VPL vs. SCZ - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 10.84% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) at 4.56%. This indicates that VPL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPL	SCZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.84%	4.56%	+6.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.79%	12.90%	+7.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.93%	15.05%	+7.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	16.82%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.60%	17.14%	+0.46%

VPL vs. SCZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SCZ's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPL vs. SCZ - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than SCZ's 3.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF	3.23%	3.30%	3.50%	2.96%	1.99%	2.96%	1.52%	3.52%	2.79%	2.38%	2.82%	2.06%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.75%	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 VPL and SCZ in my portfolio?

VPL and SCZ have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPL or SCZ?

VPL has higher volatility (10.84%) compared to SCZ (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs SCZ's -61.86%.

Which ETF is better, VPL or SCZ?

On 10-year performance, VPL leads with 9.72% vs 8.33% for SCZ. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SCZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPL or SCZ?

Over the 10-year period, VPL has performed better with a 9.72% return vs 8.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPL or SCZ?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for SCZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VPL or SCZ?

SCZ has the higher dividend yield at 3.23%, compared with 2.75% for VPL.

What is the main difference between VPL and SCZ?

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SCZ is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while SCZ tracks MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.40% for SCZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.16), 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.