KTCAX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KTCAX (DWS Science and Technology Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - KTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by DWS, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, KTCAX returned 23.42%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KTCAX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KTCAX achieves a 29.66% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, KTCAX has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 23.42%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.63% annualized return.

KTCAX

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: 16.78%
• YTD: 29.66%
• 6M: 27.50%
• 1Y: 56.01%
• 3Y*: 37.14%
• 5Y*: 20.33%
• 10Y*: 23.42%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KTCAX DWS Science and Technology Fund	29.66%	21.21%	40.51%	57.73%	-36.66%	22.68%	46.12%	42.35%	-1.03%	35.79%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between KTCAX and VFIAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.86

The correlation between KTCAX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KTCAX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KTCAX

KTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
KTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
KTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
KTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
KTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
KTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	KTCAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	2.52	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	3.42	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	3.35	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	15.66	-3.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KTCAX and VFIAX, 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

	KTCAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	2.52	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.85	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.87	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.47	-0.09

Drawdowns

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KTCAX drawdown since its inception was -82.20%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KTCAX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KTCAX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.20%	-55.20%	-27.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.60%	-8.90%	-7.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.52%	-18.75%	-6.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.37%	-24.53%	-17.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-33.83%	-8.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.90%	-9.40%	-18.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.77%	1.90%	+2.87%

Volatility

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that KTCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KTCAX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	2.82%	+3.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.48%	8.98%	+7.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.71%	11.86%	+8.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.99%	16.90%	+8.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.10%	18.07%	+6.03%

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KTCAX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

KTCAX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

KTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.42%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KTCAX DWS Science and Technology Fund	6.42%	8.32%	10.15%	11.73%	6.31%	10.93%	7.36%	8.99%	14.35%	4.50%	2.32%	11.97%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KTCAX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

KTCAX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KTCAX or VFIAX?

KTCAX has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KTCAX dropped -82.20% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.52), 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.