BLSIX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BLSIX (BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BLSIX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, BLSIX returned 6.06%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for VFAIX. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BLSIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (BLSIX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BLSIX achieves a 19.25% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's 5.34% return. Over the past 10 years, BLSIX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 6.06%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.51% annualized return.

BLSIX

• 1D: 2.02%
• 1M: -1.71%
• 6M: 9.81%
• YTD: 19.25%
• 1Y: 35.88%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 6.18%
• 10Y*: 6.06%
• ALL TIME*: 4.10%

VFAIX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 2.23%
• 6M: 6.28%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 1Y: 13.08%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 11.51%
• 10Y*: 13.51%
• ALL TIME*: 6.80%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BLSIX BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BLSIX BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund	19.25%	29.75%	6.46%	9.36%	-21.53%	-4.24%	16.59%	17.38%	-14.34%	14.68%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.34%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BLSIX and VFAIX is 0.19, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2011	0.40

Over the past year, the correlation between BLSIX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.19 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BLSIX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BLSIX

BLSIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
BLSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
BLSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
BLSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
BLSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BLSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (BLSIX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BLSIX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	0.73	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.08	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.14	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	0.75	+1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.51	1.94	+5.57

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLSIX and VFAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLSIX drawdown since its inception was -41.34%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLSIX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLSIX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.34%	-78.64%	+37.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.18%	-14.72%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.91%	-17.31%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.66%	-25.71%	-9.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.34%	-44.37%	+3.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.96%	-1.19%	-8.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.02%	-18.49%	+6.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.58%	5.66%	-1.08%

Volatility

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (BLSIX) has a higher volatility of 10.04% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 4.07%. This indicates that BLSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BLSIX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.04%	4.07%	+5.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.69%	11.21%	+10.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.50%	15.04%	+8.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.41%	19.16%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.25%	22.54%	-4.29%

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLSIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLSIX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

BLSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, more than VFAIX's 1.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLSIX BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund	1.82%	4.54%	2.38%	1.99%	3.89%	1.39%	1.54%	2.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.16%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.67%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BLSIX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

BLSIX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLSIX or VFAIX?

BLSIX has higher volatility (10.04%) compared to VFAIX (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLSIX dropped -41.34% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BLSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 0.73), 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.