VT vs. NZAC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and NZAC (SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index while NZAC tracks the MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.74%/yr vs 12.16%/yr for NZAC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for NZAC.

Performance

VT vs. NZAC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 12.24% return, which is significantly higher than NZAC's 8.83% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VT having a 12.74% annualized return and NZAC not far behind at 12.16%.

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%

NZAC

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 8.83%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 24.74%
• 3Y*: 19.06%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: 12.16%

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

VT vs. NZAC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.24%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF	8.83%	20.55%	16.67%	23.22%	-19.77%	18.35%	17.21%	28.24%	-9.80%	22.93%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and NZAC is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 2014	0.88

The correlation between VT and NZAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. NZAC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	NZAC
Technology	27.8%	34.3%
Financial Services	15.9%	13.1%
Industrials	12.0%	7.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	8.2%
Communication Services	8.3%	8.5%
Healthcare	8.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	1.0%
Energy	4.3%	1.2%
Basic Materials	4.2%	1.9%
Utilities	2.7%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.4%	5.2%

Return for Risk

VT vs. NZAC — 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

NZAC

NZAC Risk / Return Rank: 56
NZAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
NZAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
NZAC Omega Ratio Rank: 55
NZAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
NZAC Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. NZAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC). 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	NZAC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.92	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	2.71	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	2.46	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	10.68	+2.85
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. NZAC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the NZAC Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and NZAC, 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	NZAC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.92	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.59	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.71	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.61	-0.18

Drawdowns

VT vs. NZAC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than NZAC's maximum drawdown of -33.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and NZAC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	NZAC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-33.72%	-16.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-10.10%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-16.19%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-28.31%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-33.72%	-0.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.82%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-5.32%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	2.32%	-0.15%

Volatility

VT vs. NZAC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC) have volatilities of 3.83% and 3.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	NZAC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	3.72%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.17%	10.34%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	12.94%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	16.81%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	17.14%	+0.09%

VT vs. NZAC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NZAC's 0.12% 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%.

Dividends

VT vs. NZAC - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than NZAC's 2.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NZAC SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF	2.04%	1.90%	1.88%	1.65%	1.81%	1.62%	1.59%	2.17%	2.53%	2.20%	2.00%	2.40%
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 NZAC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VT and NZAC 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, VT or NZAC?

VT has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to NZAC (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs NZAC's -33.72%.

Which ETF is better, VT or NZAC?

On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.74% vs 12.16% for NZAC. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NZAC has been the lower-risk option at 3.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VT or NZAC?

Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 12.74% return vs 12.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or NZAC?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for NZAC.

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

NZAC has the higher dividend yield at 2.04%, compared with 1.59% for VT.

What is the main difference between VT and NZAC?

VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while NZAC tracks MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.12% for NZAC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.92), 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.