FRDAX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

FRDAX (Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Dividend funds. FRDAX is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FRDAX returned 11.57%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for VDADX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FRDAX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class (FRDAX) 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, FRDAX achieves a 6.77% return, which is significantly lower than VDADX's 8.83% return. Over the past 10 years, FRDAX has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 11.57%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

FRDAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 2.06%
• 6M: 5.68%
• YTD: 6.77%
• 1Y: 10.35%
• 3Y*: 10.67%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 11.57%
• ALL TIME*: 9.56%

VDADX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 7.20%
• YTD: 8.83%
• 1Y: 15.86%
• 3Y*: 14.53%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: 12.85%
• ALL TIME*: 11.82%

*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)
FRDAX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FRDAX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class	6.77%	12.24%	11.20%	12.37%	-10.45%	26.93%	16.58%	30.16%	-5.04%	20.09%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	8.83%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDAX and VDADX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.96

The correlation between FRDAX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FRDAX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDAX

FRDAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
FRDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FRDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FRDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
FRDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FRDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class (FRDAX) 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.

	FRDAX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.57	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.31	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.28	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	2.00	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.89	8.06	-2.17

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDAX 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

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDAX drawdown since its inception was -51.38%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDAX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDAX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.38%	-31.70%	-19.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.09%	-7.93%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.28%	-14.95%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.93%	-20.42%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-31.70%	-3.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.74%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-3.37%	-3.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	1.96%	-0.13%

Volatility

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class (FRDAX) has a higher volatility of 2.12% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.01%. This indicates that FRDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDAX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	2.01%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.57%	7.48%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.20%	10.07%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.34%	14.23%	+1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.10%	16.15%	+0.95%

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDAX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDAX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

FRDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.85%, more than VDADX's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRDAX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Advisor Class	9.85%	10.53%	10.44%	4.85%	5.23%	4.65%	1.04%	3.25%	5.49%	3.23%	3.27%	5.58%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.49%	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 FRDAX and VDADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FRDAX and VDADX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FRDAX or VDADX?

FRDAX has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to VDADX (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDAX dropped -51.38% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.06), 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.