MABAX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

MABAX (BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MABAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, MABAX returned 11.40%/yr vs 13.53%/yr for VFAIX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MABAX charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund (MABAX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MABAX achieves a 9.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, MABAX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 11.40%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.53% annualized return.

MABAX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 3.11%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 9.18%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 18.24%
• 5Y*: 11.68%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: -0.70%
• 6M: -2.07%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

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

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MABAX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund	9.40%	25.33%	10.30%	16.22%	-4.59%	21.48%	3.48%	24.17%	-7.63%	6.74%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.70%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between MABAX and VFAIX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.88

The correlation between MABAX and VFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MABAX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MABAX

MABAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
MABAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
MABAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
MABAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
MABAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
MABAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund (MABAX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MABAX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	0.66	+1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	0.98	+2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.12	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	0.67	+1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.21	1.74	+8.47

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MABAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MABAX and VFAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MABAX drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MABAX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MABAX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-78.64%	+24.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-14.72%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.46%	-17.31%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.15%	-25.71%	+6.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.44%	-44.37%	+4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-3.73%	+2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.44%	-18.57%	+12.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	5.66%	-2.84%

Volatility

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund (MABAX) has a higher volatility of 4.63% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 4.21%. This indicates that MABAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MABAX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	4.21%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	11.38%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.88%	14.96%	-2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.86%	19.29%	-3.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	22.62%	-4.21%

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MABAX has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MABAX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

MABAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.40%, more than VFAIX's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MABAX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund	13.40%	14.66%	9.18%	4.84%	11.41%	18.17%	12.42%	12.76%	29.20%	3.10%	1.46%	14.94%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MABAX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

MABAX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MABAX or VFAIX?

MABAX has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to VFAIX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MABAX dropped -54.63% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MABAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 0.66), 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.