MAFOX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAFOX (BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MAFOX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, MAFOX returned 17.63%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MAFOX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund (MAFOX) 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, MAFOX achieves a 15.80% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, MAFOX has outperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 17.63%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.42% annualized return.

MAFOX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 8.99%
• YTD: 15.80%
• 6M: 15.18%
• 1Y: 28.52%
• 3Y*: 25.86%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 17.63%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MAFOX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund	15.80%	12.76%	31.11%	52.63%	-38.05%	17.13%	46.85%	31.16%	3.63%	29.90%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between MAFOX and VFAIX is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between MAFOX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MAFOX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAFOX

MAFOX Risk / Return Rank: 29
MAFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
MAFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
MAFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
MAFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
MAFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund (MAFOX) 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.

	MAFOX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	0.29	+1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	0.48	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.06	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	0.29	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.92	0.76	+5.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAFOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAFOX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MAFOX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	0.29	+1.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.43	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.55	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.23	-0.12

Drawdowns

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAFOX drawdown since its inception was -89.93%, which is greater than VFAIX's maximum drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAFOX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAFOX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.93%	-78.64%	-11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.70%	-14.72%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.48%	-17.31%	-7.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.39%	-25.71%	-16.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.39%	-44.37%	+1.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-54.23%	-18.61%	-35.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.95%	5.51%	-0.56%

Volatility

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund (MAFOX) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. This indicates that MAFOX'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

	MAFOX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.07%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.42%	10.98%	+2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.29%	14.68%	+2.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.61%	19.33%	+4.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.67%	22.60%	+0.07%

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAFOX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAFOX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

MAFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.84%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAFOX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund	13.84%	16.03%	4.04%	3.05%	2.01%	11.20%	0.53%	5.45%	4.43%	4.06%	0.00%	4.66%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	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 MAFOX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

MAFOX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAFOX or VFAIX?

MAFOX has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAFOX dropped -89.93% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAFOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.29), 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.