AVEDX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVEDX (Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - AVEDX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Ave Maria Mutual Funds, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, AVEDX returned 10.53%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for VIIIX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVEDX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVEDX achieves a -1.54% return, which is significantly lower than VIIIX's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, AVEDX has underperformed VIIIX with an annualized return of 10.53%, while VIIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.74% annualized return.

AVEDX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -1.45%
• YTD: -1.54%
• 6M: -1.90%
• 1Y: -5.39%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

VIIIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 23.17%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

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

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVEDX Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund	-1.54%	-0.43%	14.36%	26.37%	-5.18%	25.31%	6.46%	27.56%	-4.83%	16.84%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	11.70%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEDX and VIIIX is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2005	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between AVEDX and VIIIX has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AVEDX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVEDX

AVEDX Risk / Return Rank: 1
AVEDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
AVEDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
AVEDX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
AVEDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
AVEDX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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.

	AVEDX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.42	2.52	-2.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.53	3.42	-3.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.46	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.46	3.36	-3.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.01	15.69	-16.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEDX Sharpe Ratio is -0.42, which is lower than the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEDX and VIIIX, 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

	AVEDX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.42	2.52	-2.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.86	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.87	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.50	+0.04

Drawdowns

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEDX drawdown since its inception was -47.25%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEDX and VIIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEDX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.25%	-55.18%	+7.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.86%	-8.90%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.53%	-18.75%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.85%	-24.50%	+7.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.91%	-33.79%	-5.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.75%	0.00%	-10.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-10.02%	+4.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.92%	1.90%	+3.02%

Volatility

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison

Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX) has a higher volatility of 3.21% compared to Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) at 2.83%. This indicates that AVEDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEDX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.21%	2.83%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	8.97%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.93%	11.86%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.47%	16.89%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	18.06%	-0.04%

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEDX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEDX vs. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison

AVEDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.63%, more than VIIIX's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEDX Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund	5.63%	5.49%	6.43%	12.61%	7.94%	10.53%	2.60%	8.03%	10.88%	6.32%	6.95%	7.11%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.41%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEDX and VIIIX in my portfolio?

AVEDX and VIIIX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVEDX or VIIIX?

AVEDX has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to VIIIX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEDX dropped -47.25% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.42), 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.