LCGFX vs. VCR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LCGFX (William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund) and VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both funds - LCGFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by William Blair, while VCR is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, LCGFX returned 16.77%/yr vs 13.46%/yr for VCR. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LCGFX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCR.

Performance

LCGFX vs. VCR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund (LCGFX) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LCGFX achieves a 5.61% return, which is significantly higher than VCR's -0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, LCGFX has outperformed VCR with an annualized return of 16.77%, while VCR has yielded a comparatively lower 13.46% annualized return.

LCGFX

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 6.92%
• YTD: 5.61%
• 6M: 4.07%
• 1Y: 18.02%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: 16.77%

VCR

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: -0.95%
• 1Y: 9.75%
• 3Y*: 14.98%
• 5Y*: 6.17%
• 10Y*: 13.46%

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

LCGFX vs. VCR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LCGFX William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund	5.61%	11.79%	26.09%	40.48%	-32.48%	28.29%	36.64%	36.44%	5.18%	31.29%
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	-0.77%	5.77%	24.27%	40.38%	-35.15%	24.86%	48.36%	27.45%	-2.31%	22.82%

Correlation

The correlation between LCGFX and VCR is 0.62, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between LCGFX and VCR has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LCGFX vs. VCR — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCGFX

LCGFX Risk / Return Rank: 14
LCGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
LCGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
LCGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
LCGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
LCGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

VCR

VCR Risk / Return Rank: 17
VCR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VCR Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VCR Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VCR Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
VCR Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

LCGFX vs. VCR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund (LCGFX) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). 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.

	LCGFX	VCR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	0.53	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	0.87	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.10	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	0.63	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.58	1.97	+0.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LCGFX vs. VCR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCGFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is higher than the VCR Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCGFX and VCR, 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

	LCGFX	VCR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	0.53	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.26	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.60	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.51	-0.16

Drawdowns

LCGFX vs. VCR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCGFX drawdown since its inception was -62.95%, roughly equal to the maximum VCR drawdown of -61.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCGFX and VCR.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCGFX	VCR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.95%	-61.54%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.59%	-15.59%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.83%	-27.36%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.25%	-39.20%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.25%	-39.20%	+1.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-5.29%	+4.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.48%	-9.40%	-12.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.34%	4.97%	+2.37%

Volatility

LCGFX vs. VCR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund (LCGFX) is 3.67%, while Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) has a volatility of 5.18%. This indicates that LCGFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCGFX	VCR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	5.18%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.68%	13.09%	-1.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	18.48%	-3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.76%	23.99%	-2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.29%	22.40%	-1.11%

LCGFX vs. VCR - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCGFX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VCR's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

LCGFX vs. VCR - Dividend Comparison

LCGFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.11%, more than VCR's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LCGFX William Blair Large Cap Growth Fund	8.11%	8.56%	5.97%	0.00%	0.82%	4.29%	3.83%	6.46%	17.08%	0.56%	1.10%	9.86%
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.73%	0.74%	0.74%	0.84%	0.98%	0.79%	1.71%	1.17%	1.37%	1.21%	1.60%	1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LCGFX and VCR in my portfolio?

LCGFX and VCR have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LCGFX or VCR?

VCR has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to LCGFX (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCGFX dropped -62.95% vs VCR's -61.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCGFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.53), 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.