- ISIN
- US92204A8273
- CUSIP
- 92204A827
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Feb 5, 2004
- Category
- Health & Biotech Equities
- Min. Investment
- $100,000
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Assets Under Management
- $19B
Share Price Chart
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Performance
VHCIX Performance Chart
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) is up 7.3% since the beginning of the year. VHCIX is currently trading at $153 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VHCIX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,314.
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Returns By Period
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) has returned 7.34% so far this year and 25.15% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VHCIX has returned 10.26% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.41% annually.
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 7.43%
- 6M
- 5.47%
- YTD
- 7.34%
- 1Y
- 25.15%
- 3Y*
- 10.12%
- 5Y*
- 5.62%
- 10Y*
- 10.26%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- 1.94%
- 6M
- 8.74%
- YTD
- 10.66%
- 1Y
- 21.02%
- 3Y*
- 19.50%
- 5Y*
- 11.63%
- 10Y*
- 13.41%
VHCIX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Feb 2, 2004, VHCIX's average daily return is +0.04%, while the average monthly return is +0.87%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 6.7 years.
Historically, 62% of months were positive and 38% were negative. The best month was Apr 2020 with a return of +13.4%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -13.0%. The longest winning streak lasted 7 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 4 months.
On a daily basis, VHCIX closed higher 53% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 13, 2008 with a return of +12.0%, while the worst single day was Mar 16, 2020 at -10.6%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -0.19% | 2.92% | -7.47% | -0.01% | 2.65% | 7.33% | 2.51% | 7.34% | |||||
| 2025 | 6.77% | 0.44% | -2.30% | -3.27% | -4.81% | 2.29% | -2.84% | 5.65% | 2.26% | 4.06% | 8.99% | -1.73% | 15.43% |
| 2024 | 2.36% | 3.53% | 2.22% | -5.40% | 2.34% | 1.94% | 3.18% | 4.87% | -1.67% | -4.39% | 0.82% | -6.40% | 2.64% |
| 2023 | -0.83% | -4.51% | 1.80% | 3.02% | -4.00% | 4.26% | 0.95% | -1.17% | -3.52% | -3.91% | 5.71% | 5.43% | 2.48% |
| 2022 | -7.88% | -0.89% | 4.98% | -5.89% | 0.87% | -2.25% | 3.97% | -5.35% | -3.18% | 8.80% | 4.67% | -2.07% | -5.50% |
| 2021 | 2.32% | -1.80% | 1.95% | 4.16% | 0.76% | 3.36% | 3.67% | 2.39% | -5.40% | 4.44% | -3.90% | 7.64% | 20.56% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares has an annualized alpha of 3.18%, beta of 0.76, and R2 of 0.70 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since February 02, 2004.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (84.46%) than losses (77.41%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- This fund generated an annualized alpha of 3.18% versus S&P 500 Index - delivering returns beyond what market exposure alone would predict.
- Alpha
- 3.18%
- Beta
- 0.76
- R²
- 0.70
- Upside Capture
- 84.46%
- Downside Capture
- 77.41%
Expense Ratio
VHCIX has an expense ratio of 0.10%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VHCIX ranks 51 for risk / return — on par with similar mutual funds. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| VHCIX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.30 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 2.28 | +0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.85 | 9.88 | -4.03 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares provided a 1.54% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $2.36 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 5 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $2.36 | $2.32 | $1.94 | $1.70 | $1.65 | $1.58 | $1.36 | $1.81 | $1.11 | $1.01 | $0.92 | $0.81 |
Dividend yield | 1.54% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.50 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.49 | $0.00 | $0.99 | |||||
| 2025 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.47 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.48 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.54 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.83 | $2.32 |
| 2024 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.41 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.48 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.58 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.46 | $1.94 |
| 2023 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.38 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.44 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.44 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.45 | $1.70 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.36 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.39 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.41 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.49 | $1.65 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.32 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.35 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.45 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.47 | $1.58 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares was 39.12%, occurring on Mar 5, 2009. Recovery took 503 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares drawdown is 1.18%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -39.12%Mar 2009 | 1y 2mo | 1y 12mo | 3y 2moDec 2007 - Mar 2011 |
COVID crash2020 | -28.58%Mar 2020 | 1mo 2d | 2mo 17d | 3mo 19dFeb 2020 - Jun 2020 |
2016 bear market2016 | -20.24%Feb 2016 | 6mo 25d | 1y 3mo | 1y 10moJul 2015 - Jun 2017 |
2011 correction2011 | -18.45%Aug 2011 | 2mo 23d | 5mo 25d | 8mo 18dMay 2011 - Feb 2012 |
Bear market2022 | -17.77%Jun 2022 | 5mo 17d | 1y 7mo | 2y 1moDec 2021 - Feb 2024 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VHCIX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.12% | -56.78% | +17.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.39% | -9.10% | -1.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.89% | -18.90% | +2.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.77% | -25.43% | +7.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.58% | -33.92% | +5.34% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.18% | -0.45% | -0.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.95% | -10.71% | +4.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.22% | 2.09% | +2.13% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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