AEP vs VTI: which was the better investment?
American Electric Power Company, Inc. against Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 15, 2001 to Oct 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AEP beat VTI?
No — measured from Jun 15, 2001 to Oct 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VTI came out ahead: $105,935 versus $76,013 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.8% annual return against 8.3%.
What would $10,000 in AEP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) on Jun 15, 2001 would be worth about $76,013 as of Oct 15, 2026, a total return of 660.1% (8.3% per year). The same $10,000 in VTI would be worth $105,935.
Which was riskier — AEP or VTI?
AEP swung with an annualized volatility of 23.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -62.0%; VTI ran at 19.0% volatility with a -55.5% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.27 for AEP vs 0.41 for VTI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 15, 2001 through Oct 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AEP vs VTI. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.