VTHR vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTHR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTHR returned 14.95%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTHR charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

VTHR vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTHR achieves a 10.94% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, VTHR has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 14.95%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.17% annualized return.

VTHR

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.71%
• 3Y*: 21.93%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 14.95%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

VTHR vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.94%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and VEA is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.78

The correlation between VTHR and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTHR vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	VEA
Technology	33.1%	13.8%
Financial Services	12.1%	23.3%
Communication Services	10.5%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	7.5%
Industrials	9.6%	19.2%
Healthcare	9.1%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.6%
Energy	3.8%	5.4%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.7%
Utilities	2.3%	3.3%
Basic Materials	2.2%	7.5%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA 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.

VTHR vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	VTHR	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.09	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.87	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	2.81	+0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	10.94	+3.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTHR vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR and VEA, 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

	VTHR	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.09	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.58	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.59	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.25	+0.61

Drawdowns

VTHR vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-60.68%	+26.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-11.63%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-13.45%	-5.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-29.71%	+4.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-35.73%	+1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.90%	+0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-13.29%	+9.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	2.98%	-1.04%

Volatility

VTHR vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) is 2.98%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that VTHR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHR	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	5.66%	-2.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	13.32%	-4.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	15.66%	-3.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	16.55%	+0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	17.36%	+0.48%

VTHR vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.00%	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 VEA in my portfolio?

VTHR and VEA have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to VTHR (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or VEA?

On 10-year performance, VTHR leads with 14.95% vs 10.17% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTHR has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 14.95% return vs 10.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VTHR.

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

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 1.00% for VTHR.

What is the main difference between VTHR and VEA?

VTHR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VTHR and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTHR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.09), 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.