BRAGX vs. VFINX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BRAGX (Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund) and VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - BRAGX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Bridgeway, while VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, BRAGX returned 11.35%/yr vs 15.64%/yr for VFINX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BRAGX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFINX.

Performance

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund (BRAGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRAGX achieves a 12.62% return, which is significantly higher than VFINX's 9.72% return. Over the past 10 years, BRAGX has underperformed VFINX with an annualized return of 11.35%, while VFINX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.64% annualized return.

BRAGX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 12.62%
• 6M: 10.80%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: 26.85%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

VFINX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.72%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 25.35%
• 3Y*: 21.24%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: 15.64%

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

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRAGX Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund	12.62%	18.09%	35.79%	23.13%	-22.41%	10.96%	14.35%	21.86%	-22.42%	18.44%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	9.72%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%

Correlation

The correlation between BRAGX and VFINX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 1994	0.82

The correlation between BRAGX and VFINX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (all time) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRAGX vs. VFINX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRAGX

BRAGX Risk / Return Rank: 54
BRAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
BRAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
BRAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
BRAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BRAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund (BRAGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). 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.

	BRAGX	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.14	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.89	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	2.99	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.93	13.50	-0.57

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRAGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the VFINX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRAGX and VFINX, 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

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRAGX drawdown since its inception was -67.04%, which is greater than VFINX's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRAGX and VFINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRAGX	VFINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.04%	-55.25%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-8.92%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.53%	-18.76%	-4.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.92%	-24.59%	-11.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.74%	-33.83%	-12.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-1.72%	+0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.95%	-8.28%	-7.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	1.97%	+0.11%

Volatility

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Volatility Comparison

Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund (BRAGX) has a higher volatility of 5.18% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) at 4.67%. This indicates that BRAGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRAGX	VFINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	4.67%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.53%	9.84%	+1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	12.50%	+2.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.52%	16.99%	+3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	18.11%	+3.31%

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRAGX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VFINX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRAGX vs. VFINX - Dividend Comparison

BRAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.78%, more than VFINX's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRAGX Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 1 Fund	16.78%	18.90%	3.19%	0.88%	1.46%	1.18%	1.01%	1.30%	11.62%	0.00%	0.56%	0.05%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.94%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRAGX and VFINX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, BRAGX and VFINX 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, BRAGX or VFINX?

BRAGX has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to VFINX (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRAGX dropped -67.04% vs VFINX's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.77), 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.