VWO vs. PLUG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VWO returned 8.60%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for PLUG. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VWO vs. PLUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and Plug Power Inc. (PLUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWO achieves a 8.50% return, which is significantly lower than PLUG's 61.93% return. Over the past 10 years, VWO has outperformed PLUG with an annualized return of 8.60%, while PLUG has yielded a comparatively lower 5.89% annualized return.

VWO

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -3.65%
• YTD: 8.50%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 24.29%
• 3Y*: 16.22%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: 8.60%

PLUG

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 2.24%
• YTD: 61.93%
• 6M: 47.69%
• 1Y: 229.14%
• 3Y*: -29.67%
• 5Y*: -37.11%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

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

VWO vs. PLUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	8.50%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%
PLUG Plug Power Inc.	61.93%	-7.51%	-52.67%	-63.62%	-56.18%	-16.75%	973.10%	154.84%	-47.46%	96.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VWO and PLUG is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.31

The correlation between VWO and PLUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.44 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWO vs. PLUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 51

PLUG

PLUG Risk / Return Rank: 87
PLUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PLUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PLUG Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PLUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PLUG 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. PLUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and Plug Power Inc. (PLUG). 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.

	VWO	PLUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.08	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.13	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.34	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	4.07	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	6.93	+0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWO vs. PLUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the PLUG Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO and PLUG, 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

	VWO	PLUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.08	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	-0.39	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.07	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	-0.14	+0.40

Drawdowns

VWO vs. PLUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, smaller than the maximum PLUG drawdown of -99.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and PLUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWO	PLUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.68%	-99.99%	+32.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-56.66%	+45.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-94.69%	+77.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.60%	-98.43%	+65.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	-99.04%	+62.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.67%	-99.79%	+95.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.81%	-96.23%	+80.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	33.23%	-30.11%

Volatility

VWO vs. PLUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is 6.29%, while Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) has a volatility of 30.53%. This indicates that VWO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWO	PLUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.29%	30.53%	-24.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.80%	63.42%	-49.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.37%	111.05%	-94.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	94.50%	-77.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.23%	89.47%	-70.24%

Dividends

VWO vs. PLUG - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, while PLUG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLUG Plug Power Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.49%	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 PLUG in my portfolio?

VWO and PLUG have a correlation of 0.34, 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 PLUG?

PLUG has higher volatility (30.53%) compared to VWO (6.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs PLUG's -99.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.49), 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.