DAKT vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DAKT (Daktronics, Inc.) is a stock, while VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DAKT returned 13.99%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAKT achieves a -1.72% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, DAKT has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 13.99%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized return.

DAKT

• 1D: -3.76%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: -1.72%
• 6M: 8.06%
• 1Y: 38.10%
• 3Y*: 44.72%
• 5Y*: 23.18%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DAKT Daktronics, Inc.	-1.72%	17.26%	98.82%	200.71%	-44.16%	7.91%	-22.41%	-15.05%	-16.17%	-12.12%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between DAKT and VFIAX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.45

Return for Risk

DAKT vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAKT

DAKT Risk / Return Rank: 64
DAKT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DAKT Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DAKT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
DAKT Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DAKT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX 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.

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	DAKT	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	2.52	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	3.42	-1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.46	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.22	3.35	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	15.66	-13.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAKT Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAKT and VFIAX, 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

	DAKT	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	2.52	-1.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.85	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.87	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.47	-0.28

Drawdowns

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAKT drawdown since its inception was -92.96%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAKT and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAKT	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.96%	-55.20%	-37.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.34%	-8.90%	-22.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.00%	-18.75%	-23.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-75.69%	-24.53%	-51.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.34%	-33.83%	-48.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.93%	0.00%	-29.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.14%	-9.40%	-40.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.98%	1.90%	+16.08%

Volatility

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Daktronics, Inc. (DAKT) has a higher volatility of 9.08% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that DAKT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAKT	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.08%	2.82%	+6.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.07%	8.98%	+24.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.04%	11.86%	+35.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.18%	16.90%	+35.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.87%	18.07%	+27.80%

Dividends

DAKT vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

DAKT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DAKT Daktronics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.07%	3.61%	3.78%	3.07%	3.18%	4.59%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAKT and VFIAX in my portfolio?

DAKT and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAKT or VFIAX?

DAKT has higher volatility (9.08%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAKT dropped -92.96% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.82), 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.