VTHR vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTHR tracks the Russell 3000 Index while EQL tracks the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTHR returned 14.55%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for EQL. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTHR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

VTHR vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTHR having a 10.36% return and EQL slightly higher at 10.71%. Over the past 10 years, VTHR has outperformed EQL with an annualized return of 14.55%, while EQL has yielded a comparatively lower 12.39% annualized return.

VTHR

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 8.65%
• YTD: 10.36%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 18.81%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.55%
• ALL TIME*: 14.17%

EQL

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 6.82%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 1Y: 18.34%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 12.39%
• ALL TIME*: 13.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	$3.33M	$2.84M	$2.70M
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	$9.26M	$9.46M	$10.85M

VTHR vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.36%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	10.71%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	-10.72%	29.32%	10.87%	27.87%	-6.12%	18.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and EQL is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010	0.89

The correlation between VTHR and EQL shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.90 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTHR vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	EQL
Technology	35.7%	10.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	9.1%
Industrials	10.0%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.6%
Healthcare	9.6%	9.4%
Communication Services	9.3%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	8.8%
Energy	3.2%	8.7%
Real Estate	2.3%	8.7%
Utilities	2.2%	9.4%
Basic Materials	2.0%	8.0%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. EQL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 76

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 79
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTHR vs. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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.

	VTHR	EQL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.82	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	2.54	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.33	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.78	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	10.89	-1.32

VTHR vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR and EQL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTHR vs. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, roughly equal to the maximum EQL drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and EQL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	EQL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-35.65%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-6.19%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-15.07%	-4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-19.24%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-35.65%	+1.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.27%	-0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-3.23%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	1.58%	+0.48%

Volatility

VTHR vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) has a higher volatility of 3.40% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.23%. This indicates that VTHR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHR	EQL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	2.23%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	7.03%	+3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	9.50%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	14.51%	+2.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	16.49%	+1.35%

VTHR vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than EQL's 0.27% 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

VTHR vs. EQL - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than EQL's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.35%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.03%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTHR and EQL in my portfolio?

VTHR and EQL have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTHR or EQL?

VTHR has higher volatility (3.40%) compared to EQL (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs EQL's -35.65%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or EQL?

On 10-year performance, VTHR leads with 14.55% vs 12.39% for EQL. On fees, VTHR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or EQL?

Over the 10-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 14.55% return vs 12.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or EQL?

VTHR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for EQL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTHR or EQL?

EQL has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 1.03% for VTHR.

What is the main difference between VTHR and EQL?

VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while EQL tracks NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTHR and 0.27% for EQL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.50), 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.