VTI vs VXZ: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) carry a correlation of -0.76, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are VTI and VXZ?
Over the past 3 years, VTI and VXZ moved with a correlation of -0.76, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. Little has changed lately, as the 1-year reading of -0.70 lands near the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is -0.72, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -282.5 %².
VXZ is close to the least connected end of VTI's tracked universe, ranking #155 of 157. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with VTI ahead by 36.8 points (+20.7% versus -16.1%). Risk is not evenly split, since VXZ carries 1.8 times the volatility of the other side.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
VTI vs VXZ: side by side
| VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +20.7% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | +74.8% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 14.6% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 1.01 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -19.3% | -36.4% |
| Dividend yield | 1.06% | – |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | – |
| Assets under management | $2,290.0B | – |
| Sector / category | ETF · US Large Cap | US Listed |
On the fund side, VTI sits in the Large Blend category at Vanguard, with $2,290.0B under management, 3140 holdings, a 0.03% expense ratio, a 1.06% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | VTI | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -19.5% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +26.0% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +23.8% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | +17.1% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +14.2% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are VTI and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.76 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between VTI and VXZ?
The VTI/VXZ correlation stands at -0.76 on a 3-year window (1 year: -0.70, 5 years: -0.72), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for VTI?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.76 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.76 mean?
On the −1 to +1 scale, -0.76 describes how much the two returns move together: +1 is lockstep, 0 is independence, negative values mean opposite directions. It says nothing about which performed better.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/vti-vs-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/vti-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: VTI correlations · VXZ correlations
