FEIFX vs. VDADX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FEIFX (Franklin Equity Income Fund) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Dividend funds. Over the past 10 years, FEIFX returned 13.58%/yr vs 13.01%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FEIFX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Equity Income Fund (FEIFX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEIFX achieves a 12.90% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 10.06% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FEIFX having a 13.58% annualized return and VDADX not far behind at 13.01%.

FEIFX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 2.00%
• 6M: 8.75%
• YTD: 12.90%
• 1Y: 22.32%
• 3Y*: 16.58%
• 5Y*: 14.07%
• 10Y*: 13.58%
• ALL TIME*: 13.01%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 0.54%
• 6M: 8.00%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 1Y: 19.48%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 13.01%
• ALL TIME*: 11.90%

*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)
FEIFX Franklin Equity Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEIFX Franklin Equity Income Fund	12.90%	16.58%	18.44%	9.30%	-6.64%	41.33%	5.79%	29.55%	-4.55%	16.29%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.06%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FEIFX and VDADX is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.93

The correlation between FEIFX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FEIFX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEIFX

FEIFX Risk / Return Rank: 84
FEIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FEIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FEIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FEIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FEIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Equity Income Fund (FEIFX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	FEIFX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.72	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.49	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.31	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	2.21	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	8.99	+3.42

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEIFX and VDADX, 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

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEIFX drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEIFX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEIFX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-31.70%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.39%	-7.93%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.69%	-14.95%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.53%	-20.42%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	-31.70%	-3.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.67%	+0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.49%	-3.37%	-0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.95%	-0.32%

Volatility

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Equity Income Fund (FEIFX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) have volatilities of 2.65% and 2.63%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEIFX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	2.63%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	7.64%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.89%	10.19%	-0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.76%	14.25%	+1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.05%	16.16%	+0.89%

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEIFX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEIFX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

FEIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.00%, more than VDADX's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEIFX Franklin Equity Income Fund	9.00%	9.72%	10.73%	4.45%	5.84%	18.19%	3.28%	8.06%	7.27%	5.04%	6.70%	5.63%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEIFX and VDADX in my portfolio?

FEIFX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEIFX or VDADX?

FEIFX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to VDADX (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEIFX dropped -35.39% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.72), 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.