VWELX vs. T

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) is Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VWELX returned 9.74%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for T. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VWELX vs. T - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and AT&T Inc. (T). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWELX achieves a 5.15% return, which is significantly higher than T's -7.04% return. Over the past 10 years, VWELX has outperformed T with an annualized return of 9.74%, while T has yielded a comparatively lower 2.10% annualized return.

VWELX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 4.49%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 1Y: 14.17%
• 3Y*: 13.78%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: 9.74%
• ALL TIME*: 9.39%

T

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 2.62%
• 6M: -2.84%
• YTD: -7.04%
• 1Y: -13.37%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 2.10%
• ALL TIME*: 9.35%

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

VWELX vs. T - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	5.15%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%
T AT&T Inc.	-7.04%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between VWELX and T is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 1984	0.48

The correlation between VWELX and T shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.48 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWELX vs. T — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 22
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
T Omega Ratio Rank: 20
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
T Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VWELX vs. T - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and AT&T Inc. (T). 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.

	VWELX	T	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	-0.57	+2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	-0.67	+2.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	0.92	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	-0.46	+2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	-1.03	+10.37

VWELX vs. T - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWELX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the T Sharpe Ratio of -0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWELX and T, 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

VWELX vs. T - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWELX drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, smaller than the maximum T drawdown of -64.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWELX and T.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWELX	T	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-64.15%	+28.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.78%	-28.89%	+22.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-28.89%	+16.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-32.01%	+11.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	-42.35%	+17.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-21.57%	+19.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-15.74%	+11.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	12.94%	-11.40%

Volatility

VWELX vs. T - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) is 2.58%, while AT&T Inc. (T) has a volatility of 9.59%. This indicates that VWELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than T based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWELX	T	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	9.59%	-7.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.52%	19.91%	-12.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.07%	23.72%	-14.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.24%	24.38%	-13.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.53%	23.92%	-12.39%

Dividends

VWELX vs. T - Dividend Comparison

VWELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.00%, more than T's 6.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
T AT&T Inc.	6.58%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	11.00%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWELX and T in my portfolio?

VWELX and T have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWELX or T?

T has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to VWELX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWELX dropped -36.12% vs T's -64.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs -0.57), 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.