EVTMX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EVTMX (Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, EVTMX returned 8.48%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVTMX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (EVTMX) 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, EVTMX achieves a 9.13% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 10.88% return.

EVTMX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.02%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 6M: 8.17%
• 1Y: 15.64%
• 3Y*: 14.22%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 11.81%

VFFSX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVTMX Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund	9.13%	8.33%	14.27%	11.16%	-9.94%	24.40%	12.33%	36.21%	-5.39%	18.11%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	10.88%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between EVTMX and VFFSX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.92

The correlation between EVTMX and VFFSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EVTMX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVTMX

EVTMX Risk / Return Rank: 31
EVTMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
EVTMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
EVTMX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
EVTMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EVTMX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (EVTMX) 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.

	EVTMX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.37	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	3.24	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.43	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	3.17	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.80	14.79	-6.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVTMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVTMX 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

	EVTMX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	2.37	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.83	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.85	-0.17

Drawdowns

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVTMX drawdown since its inception was -53.74%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVTMX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVTMX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.74%	-33.82%	-19.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-8.90%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-18.75%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.39%	-24.51%	+4.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.74%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.74%	-4.50%	-5.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.90%	+0.07%

Volatility

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (EVTMX) is 2.66%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 2.93%. This indicates that EVTMX 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

	EVTMX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.93%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.60%	9.00%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.12%	11.89%	-1.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.08%	16.90%	-2.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	18.41%	-2.01%

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVTMX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVTMX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

EVTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.42%, more than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EVTMX Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund	8.42%	9.07%	7.40%	3.25%	29.74%	6.44%	2.62%	8.36%	10.71%	9.99%	5.81%	11.41%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.04%	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 EVTMX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

EVTMX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVTMX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to EVTMX (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVTMX dropped -53.74% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.52), 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.