VPL vs. VGT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT).

VPL and VGT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VPL is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. It was launched on Mar 4, 2005. VGT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index. It was launched on Mar 25, 2004. Both VPL and VGT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VPL vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VPL vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	8.11%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	-7.34%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 8.11% return, which is significantly higher than VGT's -7.34% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 9.19%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 21.35% annualized return.

VPL

• 1D: 3.52%
• 1M: -10.28%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 14.30%
• 1Y: 39.82%
• 3Y*: 16.85%
• 5Y*: 6.86%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

VGT

• 1D: 4.34%
• 1M: -3.89%
• YTD: -7.34%
• 6M: -6.36%
• 1Y: 29.19%
• 3Y*: 22.58%
• 5Y*: 14.54%
• 10Y*: 21.35%

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

VPL vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VGT

Vanguard Information Technology ETF

VPL

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF

Return for Risk

VPL vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 91
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 67
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	VPL	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.08	+0.88
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	1.65	+0.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	1.77	+1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.94	5.47	+6.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPL vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL and VGT, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VPL	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.08	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.58	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.88	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.61	-0.30

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and VGT is 0.67, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VPL vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, more than VGT's 0.44% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	3.28%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.44%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Drawdowns

VPL vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, roughly equal to the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-54.63%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-16.40%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-35.07%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-35.07%	+1.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.28%	-12.77%	+2.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.71%	-8.00%	-3.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	5.30%	-2.05%

Volatility

VPL vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 10.59% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 7.99%. This indicates that VPL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPL	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.59%	7.99%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.73%	16.31%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.49%	27.24%	-6.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	25.07%	-8.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.10%	24.48%	-7.38%