FLC vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLC (Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Financials Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FLC returned 5.02%/yr vs 12.26%/yr for VFAIX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLC charges 1.64%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

FLC vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLC achieves a -1.29% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -6.39% return. Over the past 10 years, FLC has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 5.02%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.26% annualized return.

FLC

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -1.77%
• YTD: -1.29%
• 6M: -0.11%
• 1Y: 8.10%
• 3Y*: 12.16%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: 5.02%

VFAIX

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: -1.92%
• YTD: -6.39%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 3.00%
• 3Y*: 18.44%
• 5Y*: 7.99%
• 10Y*: 12.26%

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

FLC vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLC Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc	-1.29%	12.38%	23.05%	-0.83%	-25.11%	2.82%	14.12%	38.65%	-14.14%	17.00%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-6.39%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between FLC and VFAIX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.31

The correlation between FLC and VFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.40 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FLC vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLC

FLC Risk / Return Rank: 14
FLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
FLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FLC Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
FLC Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 3
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

FLC vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

	FLC	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	0.16	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	0.32	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.04	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	0.16	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.29	0.43	+2.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLC vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLC and VFAIX, 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

	FLC	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	0.16	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.42	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.54	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.23	+0.05

Drawdowns

FLC vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLC drawdown since its inception was -76.79%, roughly equal to the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLC and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLC	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.79%	-78.64%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-14.72%	+6.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.87%	-17.31%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.14%	-25.71%	-14.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.27%	-44.37%	-10.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.70%	-9.24%	+4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.87%	-18.61%	+7.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	5.54%	-3.07%

Volatility

FLC vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc (FLC) is 1.93%, while Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) has a volatility of 3.29%. This indicates that FLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLC	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	3.29%	-1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.12%	11.05%	-4.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.24%	14.75%	-7.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.09%	19.35%	-5.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.04%	22.60%	-0.56%

FLC vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLC has a 1.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLC vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

FLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.40%, more than VFAIX's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLC Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund Inc	7.40%	6.81%	6.62%	7.38%	8.95%	6.86%	6.27%	6.31%	8.34%	7.22%	8.20%	8.51%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.56%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLC and VFAIX in my portfolio?

FLC and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLC or VFAIX?

VFAIX has higher volatility (3.29%) compared to FLC (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLC dropped -76.79% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.16), 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.