WISE vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

WISE (Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WISE is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, WISE returned -3.15% vs 21.58% for VOO. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. WISE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

WISE vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WISE achieves a -12.05% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 10.16% return.

WISE

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: -6.95%
• 6M: -9.01%
• YTD: -12.05%
• 1Y: -3.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.08%

VOO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 8.58%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.58%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.82B	$3.78B	$5.44B
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	$174.31K	$417.19K	$446.26K

WISE vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	-12.05%	5.88%	40.45%	8.33%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.16%	17.82%	24.98%	4.15%

Correlation

The correlation between WISE and VOO is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2023	0.78

The correlation between WISE and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

WISE vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WISE	VOO
Technology	91.3%	38.6%
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	9.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	9.9%
Industrials	1.3%	8.5%
Healthcare	0.8%	8.9%
Utilities	0.2%	2.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.0%
Financial Services	-	11.4%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

WISE vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

WISE

WISE Risk / Return Rank: 9
WISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
WISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
WISE Omega Ratio Rank: 9
WISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
WISE Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

WISE vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	WISE	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	1.53	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	2.13	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.28	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.16	2.21	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.34	9.44	-9.78

WISE vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WISE Sharpe Ratio is -0.16, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WISE and VOO, 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

WISE vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WISE drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WISE and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	WISE	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-33.99%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.08%	-8.90%	-25.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.13%	-1.38%	-23.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.32%	-3.67%	-8.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.22%	2.08%	+14.14%

Volatility

WISE vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) has a higher volatility of 11.38% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.54%. This indicates that WISE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WISE	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.38%	3.54%	+7.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.21%	10.10%	+17.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.88%	12.82%	+22.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.01%	16.93%	+17.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.01%	18.01%	+16.00%

WISE vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

WISE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

WISE vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

WISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.69%, more than VOO's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.07%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	4.69%	4.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WISE and VOO in my portfolio?

WISE and VOO have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WISE or VOO?

WISE has higher volatility (11.38%) compared to VOO (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WISE dropped -39.15% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, WISE or VOO?

On 1-year performance, VOO leads with 21.58% vs -3.15% for WISE. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WISE or VOO?

Over the 1-year period, VOO has performed better with a 21.58% return vs -3.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WISE or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WISE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WISE or VOO?

WISE has the higher dividend yield at 4.69%, compared with 1.07% for VOO.

What is the main difference between WISE and VOO?

WISE is categorized as Artificial Intelligence, while VOO is S&P 500. WISE tracks Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WISE and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs -0.16), 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.