VT vs. BTI

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) is Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BTI (British American Tobacco p.l.c.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.30%/yr vs 6.49%/yr for BTI. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VT vs. BTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 9.20% return, which is significantly higher than BTI's 7.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed BTI with an annualized return of 12.30%, while BTI has yielded a comparatively lower 6.49% annualized return.

VT

• 1D: -3.07%
• 1M: -0.89%
• YTD: 9.20%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 25.79%
• 3Y*: 19.73%
• 5Y*: 10.38%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

BTI

• 1D: 3.23%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 7.01%
• 6M: 7.69%
• 1Y: 33.37%
• 3Y*: 32.36%
• 5Y*: 17.58%
• 10Y*: 6.49%

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

VT vs. BTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	9.20%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
BTI British American Tobacco p.l.c.	7.01%	65.81%	35.44%	-19.97%	14.91%	7.95%	-4.73%	42.97%	-49.35%	24.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and BTI is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2008	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between VT and BTI has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VT vs. BTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 60
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 66

BTI

BTI Risk / Return Rank: 77
BTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
BTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
BTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VT vs. BTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI). 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.

	VT	BTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.47	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.09	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.25	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.44	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.87	5.60	+6.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VT vs. BTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the BTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and BTI, 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

	VT	BTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	1.47	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.83	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.27	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.58	-0.15

Drawdowns

VT vs. BTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, smaller than the maximum BTI drawdown of -64.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and BTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	BTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-64.11%	+13.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-13.75%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-13.75%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-29.94%	+3.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-56.00%	+21.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.56%	-10.46%	+6.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-12.93%	+5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	5.97%	-3.79%

Volatility

VT vs. BTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is 4.60%, while British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) has a volatility of 10.35%. This indicates that VT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	BTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	10.35%	-5.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.66%	18.52%	-7.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.09%	22.98%	-9.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	21.17%	-5.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	24.21%	-6.95%

Dividends

VT vs. BTI - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than BTI's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTI British American Tobacco p.l.c.	5.16%	5.29%	8.18%	9.72%	7.23%	7.98%	7.22%	6.35%	8.53%	4.27%	3.85%	4.11%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.64%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and BTI in my portfolio?

VT and BTI have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or BTI?

BTI has higher volatility (10.35%) compared to VT (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs BTI's -64.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.47), 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.