Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF

VDC

Market cap $7.83B

If you're interested in broad exposure to the Consumer Staples - Broad segment of the equity market, look no further than the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on January 26, 2004.

President Donald Trump's recent address to the nation did little to calm investor concerns around the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has now entered its fifth week.

This year's exodus from tech stocks and other growth-focused corners of the market has been well-documented. But after the NASDAQ and Dow Jones Industrial Average both entered a correction last week, it is increasingly evident that Main Street is feeling the pinch just as much as Wall Street.

VDC charges a much lower expense ratio but IYK offers a slightly higher dividend yield VDC holds more stocks and sticks tightly to consumer staples, while IYK mixes in healthcare and basic materials Recent returns and five-year growth favor VDC, though IYK has a marginally smaller max drawdown

VDC carries a much lower expense ratio and has delivered higher one-year returns than RSPS. RSPS pays a higher dividend yield but trails significantly on five-year growth and recent performance.

VDC holds a more diversified portfolio with over 100 stocks, while XLP is more concentrated with 35 holdings. XLP offers a slightly higher dividend yield, but VDC has delivered stronger total returns over the past year.

VDC and FSTA track nearly identical portfolios of U.S. consumer staples stocks, with similar sector weights and top holdings. FSTA offers a similar expense ratio and dividend yield to VDC, but VDC has far greater assets under management.

PBJ charges a much higher expense ratio and offers a lower yield than VDC. PBJ delivered a stronger 1-year return, but lagged in 5-year growth and holds far fewer stocks.

The Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF is one of the safest havens during turbulent periods. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF has outperformed the overall market historically during significant downturns.

When the broader market has lost ground year-to-date and the VIX is hovering near 27, the question investors are quietly asking is: what in my portfolio is actually holding up?