ACUSX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACUSX (Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ACUSX returned 7.63%/yr vs 10.58%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACUSX charges 1.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund (ACUSX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACUSX achieves a 9.66% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 6.93% return.

ACUSX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 9.66%
• 6M: 9.11%
• 1Y: 22.05%
• 3Y*: 16.53%
• 5Y*: 7.63%
• 10Y*: —

VDADX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 6.93%
• 6M: 7.12%
• 1Y: 19.70%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

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

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ACUSX Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund	9.66%	13.11%	15.45%	17.27%	-21.05%	15.90%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.93%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	21.17%

Correlation

The correlation between ACUSX and VDADX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2021	0.93

The correlation between ACUSX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ACUSX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACUSX

ACUSX Risk / Return Rank: 61
ACUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
ACUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
ACUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ACUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ACUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund (ACUSX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	ACUSX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.01	+0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.92	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	2.59	+0.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.64	10.48	+3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACUSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACUSX and VDADX, 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

	ACUSX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.01	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.75	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.76	-0.75

Drawdowns

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACUSX drawdown since its inception was -96.85%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACUSX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACUSX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.85%	-31.70%	-65.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.82%	-7.93%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-96.85%	-14.95%	-81.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.85%	-20.42%	-76.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.57%	-0.22%	-95.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.69%	-3.41%	-28.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.67%	1.96%	-0.29%

Volatility

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund (ACUSX) has a higher volatility of 2.75% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.24%. This indicates that ACUSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACUSX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.75%	2.24%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.65%	7.64%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.26%	10.07%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1,173.45%	14.27%	+1,159.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1,150.78%	16.19%	+1,134.59%

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACUSX has a 1.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACUSX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

ACUSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACUSX Advisors Capital US Dividend Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.46%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACUSX and VDADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, ACUSX and VDADX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ACUSX or VDADX?

ACUSX has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to VDADX (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACUSX dropped -96.85% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.01), 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.