CFIMX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CFIMX (Clipper Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, CFIMX returned 11.43%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CFIMX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Clipper Fund (CFIMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CFIMX achieves a 9.25% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

CFIMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 9.25%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 31.90%
• 3Y*: 24.75%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CFIMX Clipper Fund	9.25%	27.39%	19.40%	31.59%	-18.80%	17.76%	9.96%	29.66%	-12.90%	16.65%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between CFIMX and VFFSX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.86

The correlation between CFIMX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CFIMX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CFIMX

CFIMX Risk / Return Rank: 79
CFIMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
CFIMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
CFIMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
CFIMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
CFIMX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX 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.

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Clipper Fund (CFIMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	CFIMX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.52	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	3.42	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.46	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.97	3.36	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.96	15.70	+0.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CFIMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CFIMX and VFFSX, 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

	CFIMX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.52	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.85	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.86	-0.23

Drawdowns

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CFIMX drawdown since its inception was -66.07%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CFIMX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CFIMX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.07%	-33.82%	-32.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.25%	-8.90%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.43%	-18.75%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.80%	-24.51%	-6.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	0.00%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-4.50%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.90%	+0.14%

Volatility

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Clipper Fund (CFIMX) is 2.50%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that CFIMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CFIMX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	2.83%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.56%	8.98%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	11.86%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.86%	16.90%	+1.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.61%	18.41%	+1.20%

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CFIMX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

CFIMX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

CFIMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.60%, more than VFFSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CFIMX Clipper Fund	7.60%	8.31%	13.43%	6.10%	5.67%	13.79%	2.45%	1.46%	10.12%	5.95%	10.43%	0.71%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CFIMX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

CFIMX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CFIMX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to CFIMX (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CFIMX dropped -66.07% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CFIMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.52), 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.