VTI vs. CGL-C.TO
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and CGL-C.TO (iShares Gold Bullion ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while CGL-C.TO is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price (CAD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 11.89%/yr for CGL-C.TO. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for CGL-C.TO.
Performance
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
VTI is traded in USD, while CGL-C.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the CGL-C.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly higher than CGL-C.TO's -2.68% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed CGL-C.TO with an annualized return of 15.02%, while CGL-C.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 11.89% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- -0.28%
- YTD
- 9.62%
- 6M
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- 26.27%
- 3Y*
- 20.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.20%
- 10Y*
- 15.02%
CGL-C.TO
- 1D
- -0.00%
- 1M
- -10.30%
- YTD
- -2.68%
- 6M
- -2.36%
- 1Y
- 23.97%
- 3Y*
- 28.82%
- 5Y*
- 16.71%
- 10Y*
- 11.89%
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.62% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF | -2.58% | 62.99% | 26.68% | 12.82% | -0.22% | -4.80% | 24.71% | 16.80% | -1.43% | 11.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and CGL-C.TO is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2012 | -0.10 |
The correlation between VTI and CGL-C.TO shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
CGL-C.TO
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO). 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.
| VTI | CGL-C.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.19 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 0.99 | +1.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.52 | 2.87 | +9.65 |
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Drawdowns
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than CGL-C.TO's maximum drawdown of -42.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and CGL-C.TO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | CGL-C.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -42.11% | -13.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -24.32% | +15.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -24.32% | +5.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -24.32% | -1.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -24.32% | -10.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.14% | -21.86% | +19.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -18.51% | +10.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 8.37% | -6.38% |
Volatility
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.50%, while iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO) has a volatility of 7.57%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CGL-C.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTI | CGL-C.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 7.57% | -3.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.82% | 22.90% | -13.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.64% | 26.70% | -14.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 18.22% | -0.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.33% | 16.73% | +1.60% |
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than CGL-C.TO's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTI vs. CGL-C.TO - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, while CGL-C.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and CGL-C.TO have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for CGL-C.TO.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while CGL-C.TO is Gold. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while CGL-C.TO tracks LBMA Gold Price (CAD). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.55% for CGL-C.TO.
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