GSPAX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSPAX (Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Dividend funds. GSPAX is actively managed, while VDADX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSPAX returned 12.69%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSPAX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A (GSPAX) 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, GSPAX achieves a 10.39% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 7.70% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GSPAX having a 12.69% annualized return and VDADX not far ahead at 13.22%.

GSPAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 4.80%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 6M: 10.76%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 20.59%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 12.69%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 6M: 7.14%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSPAX Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A	10.39%	13.27%	29.10%	21.09%	-15.36%	22.39%	13.66%	24.67%	-6.63%	14.84%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.70%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between GSPAX and VDADX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2013	0.90

The correlation between GSPAX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GSPAX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSPAX

GSPAX Risk / Return Rank: 75
GSPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GSPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
GSPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
GSPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
GSPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A (GSPAX) 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.

	GSPAX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.05	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	2.98	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.37	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	2.61	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.15	10.51	+5.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSPAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSPAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GSPAX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	2.05	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.76	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.82	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.76	-0.24

Drawdowns

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSPAX drawdown since its inception was -52.07%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSPAX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSPAX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.07%	-31.70%	-20.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.92%	-7.93%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.51%	-14.95%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.39%	-20.42%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.71%	-31.70%	-1.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-3.41%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	1.96%	-0.40%

Volatility

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A (GSPAX) is 1.98%, while Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that GSPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSPAX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.98%	2.31%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	7.65%	+0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.85%	10.07%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.01%	14.27%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.89%	16.20%	+0.69%

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSPAX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSPAX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

GSPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, more than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSPAX Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund Class A	5.68%	6.05%	12.41%	6.14%	6.12%	5.67%	6.81%	6.47%	7.50%	5.73%	5.25%	5.86%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	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 GSPAX and VDADX in my portfolio?

GSPAX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSPAX or VDADX?

VDADX has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to GSPAX (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSPAX dropped -52.07% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.05), 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.