WRB vs. RTH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

WRB (W. R. Berkley Corporation) is a stock, while RTH (VanEck Vectors Retail ETF) is Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, WRB returned 17.92%/yr vs 14.35%/yr for RTH. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WRB vs. RTH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) and VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WRB achieves a -2.51% return, which is significantly lower than RTH's 4.33% return. Over the past 10 years, WRB has outperformed RTH with an annualized return of 17.92%, while RTH has yielded a comparatively lower 14.35% annualized return.

WRB

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 2.74%
• YTD: -2.51%
• 6M: 0.17%
• 1Y: -4.36%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: 17.90%
• 10Y*: 17.92%

RTH

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -1.59%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: 12.87%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: 14.35%

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

WRB vs. RTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WRB W. R. Berkley Corporation	-2.51%	23.02%	27.19%	0.25%	33.92%	27.39%	-3.14%	43.80%	5.96%	10.21%
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	4.33%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%

Correlation

The correlation between WRB and RTH is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2001	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between WRB and RTH has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

WRB vs. RTH — Risk / Return Rank

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

WRB

WRB Risk / Return Rank: 31
WRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
WRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
WRB Omega Ratio Rank: 28
WRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
WRB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 32
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

WRB vs. RTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) and VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH). 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.

	WRB	RTH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.24	0.97	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.18	1.52	-1.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.18	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.29	1.50	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.54	4.99	-5.53

WRB vs. RTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WRB Sharpe Ratio is -0.24, which is lower than the RTH Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WRB and RTH, 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

WRB vs. RTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WRB drawdown since its inception was -69.33%, which is greater than RTH's maximum drawdown of -42.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WRB and RTH.

Drawdown Indicators

	WRB	RTH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.33%	-42.32%	-27.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.62%	-7.83%	-9.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-13.80%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.29%	-25.00%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.35%	-25.00%	-20.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.49%	-3.58%	-7.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.58%	-7.34%	-7.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.29%	2.35%	+6.94%

Volatility

WRB vs. RTH - Volatility Comparison

W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) has a higher volatility of 7.63% compared to VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) at 3.85%. This indicates that WRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WRB	RTH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	3.85%	+3.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.08%	9.28%	+5.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	12.09%	+9.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.83%	16.81%	+6.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.56%	17.54%	+7.02%

Dividends

WRB vs. RTH - Dividend Comparison

WRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, more than RTH's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	0.93%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%
WRB W. R. Berkley Corporation	2.72%	2.64%	2.39%	2.73%	1.22%	2.44%	0.71%	2.43%	2.83%	2.16%	2.27%	0.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WRB and RTH in my portfolio?

WRB and RTH have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WRB or RTH?

WRB has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to RTH (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WRB dropped -69.33% vs RTH's -42.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs -0.24), 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.