VT vs. HERD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index while HERD tracks the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VT returned 10.99%/yr vs 9.95%/yr for HERD. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for HERD.

Performance

VT vs. HERD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VT having a 12.24% return and HERD slightly lower at 12.05%.

VT

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 6M: 13.14%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

HERD

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 6M: 12.85%
• 1Y: 29.32%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 9.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

VT vs. HERD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.24%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	11.67%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	12.05%	19.07%	2.91%	20.72%	-6.96%	28.58%	10.71%	7.36%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and HERD is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2019	0.68

The correlation between VT and HERD shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.79 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VT vs. HERD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	HERD
Technology	27.8%	18.0%
Financial Services	15.9%	0.0%
Industrials	12.0%	13.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	15.6%
Communication Services	8.3%	8.3%
Healthcare	8.1%	14.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	8.2%
Energy	4.3%	15.9%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.7%
Utilities	2.7%	0.8%
Real Estate	2.4%	0.3%

Return for Risk

VT vs. HERD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 67
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

HERD

HERD Risk / Return Rank: 81
HERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
HERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
HERD Omega Ratio Rank: 75
HERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
HERD Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. HERD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). 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	HERD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.54	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	3.56	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.45	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	5.19	-2.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	17.73	-4.20
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. HERD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the HERD Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and HERD, 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	HERD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.54	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.56	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.63	-0.19

Drawdowns

VT vs. HERD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than HERD's maximum drawdown of -39.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and HERD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	HERD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-39.41%	-10.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-5.68%	-3.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-18.90%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-21.60%	-4.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.67%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-4.55%	-2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.66%	+0.51%

Volatility

VT vs. HERD - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) at 2.92%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HERD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	HERD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	2.92%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.17%	7.74%	+2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	11.62%	+1.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	17.76%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	20.50%	-3.27%

VT vs. HERD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than HERD's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

VT vs. HERD - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than HERD's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	3.13%	3.75%	2.43%	2.54%	2.50%	2.02%	1.95%	1.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.59%	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 HERD in my portfolio?

VT and HERD have a correlation of 0.79, 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 HERD?

VT has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to HERD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs HERD's -39.41%.

Which ETF is better, VT or HERD?

On 5-year performance, VT leads with 10.99% vs 9.95% for HERD. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, HERD has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VT or HERD?

Over the 5-year period, VT has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 9.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or HERD?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VT or HERD?

HERD has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 1.59% for VT.

What is the main difference between VT and HERD?

VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.73% for HERD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.31), 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.