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VT vs. URTH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VT vs. URTH

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index while URTH tracks the MSCI World Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.84%/yr vs 13.24%/yr for URTH. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for URTH.

Performance

VT vs. URTH - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 12.44% return, which is significantly higher than URTH's 9.86% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VT having a 12.84% annualized return and URTH not far ahead at 13.24%.

VT

1D
1.16%
1M
2.33%
YTD
12.44%
6M
12.88%
1Y
29.08%
3Y*
19.80%
5Y*
11.47%
10Y*
12.84%

URTH

1D
0.87%
1M
1.29%
YTD
9.86%
6M
10.21%
1Y
25.70%
3Y*
19.51%
5Y*
12.15%
10Y*
13.24%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VT vs. URTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VT
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF		12.44%22.43%16.49%22.02%-18.00%18.27%16.59%26.81%-9.76%24.50%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		9.86%21.36%18.66%23.95%-17.97%22.27%15.78%28.15%-8.56%22.95%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and URTH is 0.99 - 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

0.99

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.99

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.99

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.98

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012

0.87

The correlation between VT and URTH shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (all time) to 0.99 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VT vs. URTH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VT
URTH

Technology

27.8%
30.5%

Financial Services

15.9%
15.3%

Industrials

12.0%
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

9.5%
8.8%

Communication Services

8.3%
8.6%

Healthcare

8.1%
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
5.0%

Energy

4.3%
4.0%

Basic Materials

4.2%
3.3%

Utilities

2.7%
2.8%

Real Estate

2.4%
1.7%

Technology

VT
27.8%
URTH
30.5%

Financial Services

VT
15.9%
URTH
15.3%

Industrials

VT
12.0%
URTH
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

VT
9.5%
URTH
8.8%

Communication Services

VT
8.3%
URTH
8.6%

Healthcare

VT
8.1%
URTH
8.9%

Consumer Defensive

VT
4.8%
URTH
5.0%

Energy

VT
4.3%
URTH
4.0%

Basic Materials

VT
4.2%
URTH
3.3%

Utilities

VT
2.7%
URTH
2.8%

Real Estate

VT
2.4%
URTH
1.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF

iShares MSCI World ETF

Often compared with VT:
VT vs. VOOVT vs. VTIVT vs. VXUSVT vs. SPYVT vs. ACWIVT vs. VWRA.LVT vs. VWCE.DE
Often compared with URTH:
URTH vs. IWDA.LURTH vs. SPYURTH vs. VOOURTH vs. XWD.TOURTH vs. BRK-BURTH vs. VXUSURTH vs. EEM

Return for Risk

VT vs. URTH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VT
VT Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
URTH
URTH Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
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. URTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH). 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.

VTURTHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.18
2.05

+0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.98
2.82

+0.16

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.37

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.02

2.85

+0.17

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.14

12.64

+0.50

VT vs. URTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the URTH Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and URTH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VT vs. URTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than URTH's maximum drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and URTH.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTURTHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.27%

-34.01%

-16.26%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.67%

-9.06%

-0.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.51%

-16.94%

+0.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.38%

-26.05%

-0.33%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.24%

-34.01%

-0.23%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.70%

-1.02%

+0.32%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.01%

-4.36%

-2.65%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.22%

2.04%

+0.18%

Volatility

VT vs. URTH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 5.36% compared to iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) at 4.62%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than URTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTURTHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.36%

4.62%

+0.74%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.17%

10.22%

+0.95%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.42%

12.58%

+0.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.17%

16.27%

-0.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.28%

17.30%

-0.02%

VT vs. URTH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than URTH's 0.24% 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. URTH - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, more than URTH's 1.40% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		1.40%1.48%1.47%1.70%1.68%1.50%1.52%2.16%2.30%1.88%2.15%2.35%
VT
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF		1.95%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

With a correlation of 0.99, VT and URTH 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.

VT has higher volatility (5.36%) compared to URTH (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs URTH's -34.01%.

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.24% vs 12.84% for VT. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 4.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.24% return vs 12.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for URTH.

VT has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 1.40% for URTH.

VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.24% for URTH.

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.05), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VT and URTH

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