AVERX vs. VHYAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

AVERX (Ave Maria Value Focused Fund) and VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - AVERX tracks the S&P 500® Index while VHYAX tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AVERX returned 20.20% vs 26.80% for VHYAX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVERX charges 1.26%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VHYAX.

Performance

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ave Maria Value Focused Fund (AVERX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVERX achieves a 19.40% return, which is significantly higher than VHYAX's 12.39% return.

AVERX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 19.40%
• 6M: 16.42%
• 1Y: 20.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VHYAX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: 26.80%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVERX Ave Maria Value Focused Fund	19.40%	0.37%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.39%	18.18%

Correlation

The correlation between AVERX and VHYAX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2025	0.57

The correlation between AVERX and VHYAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVERX vs. VHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVERX

AVERX Risk / Return Rank: 18
AVERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
AVERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
AVERX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
AVERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
AVERX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VHYAX 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.

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ave Maria Value Focused Fund (AVERX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). 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.

	AVERX	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.59	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	3.68	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.47	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	3.95	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.55	14.96	-10.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVERX Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the VHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVERX and VHYAX, 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

	AVERX	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	2.59	-1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.71	+0.24

Drawdowns

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVERX drawdown since its inception was -11.33%, smaller than the maximum VHYAX drawdown of -35.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVERX and VHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVERX	VHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.33%	-35.14%	+23.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.27%	-6.75%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.11%	-0.47%	-6.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.74%	-3.77%	-1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.36%	1.78%	+2.58%

Volatility

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Volatility Comparison

Ave Maria Value Focused Fund (AVERX) has a higher volatility of 4.59% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) at 2.75%. This indicates that AVERX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVERX	VHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	2.75%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.73%	7.70%	+7.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	10.30%	+8.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.85%	14.00%	+4.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	17.96%	+0.89%

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVERX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VHYAX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVERX vs. VHYAX - Dividend Comparison

AVERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than VHYAX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVERX Ave Maria Value Focused Fund	0.34%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.17%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVERX and VHYAX in my portfolio?

AVERX and VHYAX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVERX or VHYAX?

AVERX has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to VHYAX (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVERX dropped -11.33% vs VHYAX's -35.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.05), 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.