ACRNX vs. VGHCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACRNX (Columbia Acorn Fund) and VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - ACRNX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Columbia, while VGHCX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX returned 9.49%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for VGHCX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACRNX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VGHCX.

Performance

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACRNX achieves a 15.48% return, which is significantly higher than VGHCX's -4.67% return. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX has outperformed VGHCX with an annualized return of 9.49%, while VGHCX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.79% annualized return.

ACRNX

• 1D: 1.75%
• 1M: 7.60%
• YTD: 15.48%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 14.71%
• 5Y*: 3.94%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

VGHCX

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: -1.40%
• YTD: -4.67%
• 6M: -4.29%
• 1Y: 16.18%
• 3Y*: 8.30%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 8.79%

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

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund	15.48%	4.80%	14.46%	21.85%	-33.80%	8.62%	29.65%	26.65%	-8.82%	25.22%
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	-4.67%	19.63%	8.99%	5.46%	-1.05%	14.36%	12.57%	22.93%	1.03%	19.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ACRNX and VGHCX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 1984	0.67

The correlation between ACRNX and VGHCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ACRNX vs. VGHCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACRNX

ACRNX Risk / Return Rank: 29
ACRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ACRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
ACRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
ACRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
ACRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VGHCX

VGHCX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VGHCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VGHCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VGHCX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGHCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VGHCX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). 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.

	ACRNX	VGHCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	1.08	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.67	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.19	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	1.73	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.37	4.60	+2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACRNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is higher than the VGHCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACRNX and VGHCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACRNX	VGHCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	1.08	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.40	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.50	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.92	-0.27

Drawdowns

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACRNX drawdown since its inception was -56.70%, which is greater than VGHCX's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACRNX and VGHCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACRNX	VGHCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.70%	-36.93%	-19.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.63%	-9.20%	-7.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.05%	-16.08%	-13.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.58%	-16.95%	-28.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.58%	-27.18%	-18.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.61%	+7.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-5.25%	-3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.35%	3.44%	+0.91%

Volatility

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) has a higher volatility of 6.41% compared to Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) at 3.79%. This indicates that ACRNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGHCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACRNX	VGHCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	3.79%	+2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.24%	10.35%	+5.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.50%	14.75%	+5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.00%	18.21%	+6.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.06%	17.64%	+5.42%

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACRNX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VGHCX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACRNX vs. VGHCX - Dividend Comparison

ACRNX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.30%	26.17%	13.28%	11.43%	8.55%	23.63%	39.09%	63.48%
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	6.93%	6.00%	22.72%	7.17%	5.44%	8.31%	7.96%	11.82%	9.10%	7.30%	8.54%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACRNX and VGHCX in my portfolio?

ACRNX and VGHCX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACRNX or VGHCX?

ACRNX has higher volatility (6.41%) compared to VGHCX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACRNX dropped -56.70% vs VGHCX's -36.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACRNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.08), 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.