GSRAX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GSRAX (Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, GSRAX returned 12.19%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSRAX charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund (GSRAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GSRAX having a 11.42% return and VFFSX slightly lower at 10.88%.

GSRAX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 10.80%
• 1Y: 18.62%
• 3Y*: 19.12%
• 5Y*: 12.19%
• 10Y*: 12.62%

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)

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSRAX Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund	11.42%	6.66%	26.07%	17.49%	-7.78%	31.47%	8.75%	25.63%	-6.65%	16.68%
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 GSRAX and VFFSX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
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	0.90

The correlation between GSRAX and VFFSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GSRAX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSRAX

GSRAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
GSRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GSRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GSRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GSRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
GSRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund (GSRAX) 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.

	GSRAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.37	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.24	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	3.17	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.49	14.79	-5.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSRAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSRAX 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

	GSRAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	2.37	-0.76
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	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.85	-0.36

Drawdowns

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSRAX drawdown since its inception was -44.40%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSRAX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSRAX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.40%	-33.82%	-10.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.32%	-8.90%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.43%	-18.75%	-6.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-24.51%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-0.74%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.07%	-4.50%	-1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.90%	+0.04%

Volatility

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund (GSRAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) have volatilities of 2.84% and 2.93%, 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

	GSRAX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	2.93%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.33%	9.00%	-0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.52%	11.89%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.21%	16.90%	+3.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.87%	18.41%	+1.46%

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSRAX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSRAX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

GSRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.35%, more than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSRAX Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund	11.35%	12.17%	25.88%	9.60%	14.01%	11.55%	4.39%	11.85%	97.89%	21.56%	3.16%	0.92%
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 GSRAX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

GSRAX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSRAX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to GSRAX (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSRAX dropped -44.40% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.61), 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.