VWO vs. KO

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while KO (The Coca-Cola Company) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VWO returned 7.65%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for KO. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VWO vs. KO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWO achieves a 7.88% return, which is significantly lower than KO's 19.04% return. Over the past 10 years, VWO has underperformed KO with an annualized return of 7.65%, while KO has yielded a comparatively higher 9.37% annualized return.

VWO

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -4.67%
• 6M: 3.57%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 1Y: 17.74%
• 3Y*: 15.34%
• 5Y*: 5.14%
• 10Y*: 7.65%
• ALL TIME*: 6.75%

KO

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 3.44%
• 6M: 18.14%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 1Y: 20.90%
• 3Y*: 12.83%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: 9.37%
• ALL TIME*: 12.17%

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

VWO vs. KO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	7.88%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%
KO The Coca-Cola Company	19.04%	15.60%	8.88%	-4.43%	10.61%	11.37%	2.47%	20.60%	6.77%	14.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VWO and KO is -0.14, 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	-0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.37

The correlation between VWO and KO shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (1 year) to 0.37 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWO vs. KO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 39
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 44

KO

KO Risk / Return Rank: 80
KO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
KO Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
KO Omega Ratio Rank: 74
KO Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
KO Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VWO vs. KO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO). 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.

	VWO	KO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.17	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	1.86	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.21	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	2.67	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.36	5.83	-0.47

VWO vs. KO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is comparable to the KO Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO and KO, 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

VWO vs. KO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, roughly equal to the maximum KO drawdown of -68.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and KO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWO	KO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.68%	-68.23%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-7.87%	-3.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-16.26%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.88%	-17.27%	-13.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	-36.99%	+0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.40%	-3.30%	-2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.75%	-16.07%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	3.59%	-0.28%

Volatility

VWO vs. KO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is 5.81%, while The Coca-Cola Company (KO) has a volatility of 7.83%. This indicates that VWO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWO	KO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.81%	7.83%	-2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.93%	14.19%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.32%	17.98%	-0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.60%	16.46%	+1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.14%	18.37%	+0.77%

Dividends

VWO vs. KO - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, less than KO's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KO The Coca-Cola Company	2.53%	2.92%	3.12%	3.12%	2.77%	2.84%	2.99%	2.89%	3.29%	3.23%	3.38%	3.07%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.39%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWO and KO in my portfolio?

VWO and KO have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWO or KO?

KO has higher volatility (7.83%) compared to VWO (5.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs KO's -68.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 1.03), 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.