LMISX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LMISX (Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, LMISX returned 14.07%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VFFSX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. LMISX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LMISX achieves a 10.35% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 10.88% return.

LMISX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 4.47%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 10.89%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 24.82%
• 5Y*: 14.07%
• 10Y*: 15.21%

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)

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LMISX Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund	10.35%	18.05%	29.58%	27.88%	-20.61%	31.69%	17.20%	25.95%	-7.57%	22.47%
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 LMISX and VFFSX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.98

The correlation between LMISX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LMISX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LMISX

LMISX Risk / Return Rank: 73
LMISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
LMISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
LMISX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
LMISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
LMISX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) 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.

	LMISX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.37	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.24	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.17	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.85	14.79	+1.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LMISX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LMISX 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

	LMISX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.37	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.83	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.85	-0.29

Drawdowns

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LMISX drawdown since its inception was -50.34%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LMISX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LMISX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.34%	-33.82%	-16.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.69%	-8.90%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.22%	-18.75%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.11%	-24.51%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.74%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.61%	-4.50%	-3.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.90%	-0.05%

Volatility

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) have volatilities of 2.81% 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

	LMISX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	2.93%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.92%	9.00%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.91%	11.89%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.66%	16.90%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.78%	18.41%	+0.37%

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LMISX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

LMISX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

LMISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.72%, more than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LMISX Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund	3.72%	4.11%	3.97%	7.68%	0.95%	25.55%	3.53%	8.42%	17.16%	6.53%	1.42%	6.23%
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 LMISX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, LMISX and VFFSX 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, LMISX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to LMISX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LMISX dropped -50.34% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LMISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.37), 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.