ARGFX vs. VTSAX
Compare and contrast key facts about Ariel Fund (ARGFX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX).
ARGFX is managed by Ariel Investments. It was launched on Nov 6, 1986. VTSAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARGFX Ariel Fund | -4.69% | 14.08% | 11.56% | 15.78% | -18.68% | 30.29% | 10.05% | 24.64% | -13.59% | 15.99% |
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | -6.75% | 17.12% | 23.23% | 26.51% | -19.52% | 25.72% | 20.98% | 30.79% | -5.18% | 21.16% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARGFX achieves a -4.69% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's -6.75% return. Over the past 10 years, ARGFX has underperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 8.99%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.27% annualized return.
ARGFX
- 1D
- -0.45%
- 1M
- -12.05%
- YTD
- -4.69%
- 6M
- -1.68%
- 1Y
- 18.19%
- 3Y*
- 9.60%
- 5Y*
- 4.48%
- 10Y*
- 8.99%
VTSAX
- 1D
- -0.46%
- 1M
- -7.71%
- YTD
- -6.75%
- 6M
- -4.47%
- 1Y
- 14.76%
- 3Y*
- 16.69%
- 5Y*
- 10.11%
- 10Y*
- 13.27%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ARGFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
ARGFX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank
ARGFX
VTSAX
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ariel Fund (ARGFX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.
| ARGFX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.75 | 0.84 | -0.09 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.20 | 1.29 | -0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.20 | -0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.01 | 1.05 | -0.04 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.32 | 5.08 | -1.77 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ARGFX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 | 0.84 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | 0.59 | -0.38 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.40 | 0.72 | -0.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.53 | 0.43 | +0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between ARGFX and VTSAX is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison
ARGFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.38%, more than VTSAX's 1.20% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARGFX Ariel Fund | 12.38% | 11.80% | 5.49% | 5.09% | 9.01% | 5.56% | 5.33% | 5.81% | 10.35% | 6.30% | 6.56% | 16.28% |
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.20% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.42% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.41% | 1.76% | 2.03% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Drawdowns
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARGFX drawdown since its inception was -71.02%, which is greater than VTSAX's maximum drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARGFX and VTSAX.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| ARGFX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -71.02% | -55.33% | -15.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.50% | -12.41% | -3.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.00% | -25.36% | -7.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.29% | -34.97% | -10.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.36% | -8.92% | -3.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.47% | -9.06% | +0.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.72% | 2.56% | +2.16% |
Volatility
ARGFX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison
Ariel Fund (ARGFX) has a higher volatility of 6.00% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 4.39%. This indicates that ARGFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| ARGFX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.00% | 4.39% | +1.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.80% | 9.33% | +4.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.52% | 18.42% | +6.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.29% | 17.32% | +4.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.74% | 18.37% | +4.37% |