MAFOX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MAFOX (BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MAFOX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, MAFOX returned 16.34%/yr vs 14.96%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MAFOX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund (MAFOX) 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, MAFOX achieves a 7.32% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 9.33% return. Over the past 10 years, MAFOX has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 16.34%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.96% annualized return.

MAFOX

• 1D: 3.08%
• 1M: -2.35%
• 6M: 6.94%
• YTD: 7.32%
• 1Y: 12.89%
• 3Y*: 20.02%
• 5Y*: 8.96%
• 10Y*: 16.34%
• ALL TIME*: 2.99%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 7.77%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 1Y: 20.60%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 12.65%
• 10Y*: 14.96%
• ALL TIME*: 8.81%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MAFOX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MAFOX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund	7.32%	12.76%	31.11%	52.63%	-38.05%	17.13%	46.85%	31.16%	3.63%	29.90%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.33%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between MAFOX and VFIAX is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.86

The correlation between MAFOX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MAFOX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MAFOX

MAFOX Risk / Return Rank: 15
MAFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
MAFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MAFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
MAFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
MAFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

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.

	MAFOX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	1.43	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.88	1.99	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.26	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	2.06	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.97	8.84	-6.87

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAFOX Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAFOX 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.

Drawdowns

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAFOX drawdown since its inception was -89.93%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAFOX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAFOX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.93%	-55.20%	-34.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.70%	-8.90%	-7.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.48%	-18.75%	-5.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.39%	-24.53%	-17.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.39%	-33.83%	-8.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.33%	-2.11%	-5.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-9.35%	-44.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.41%	2.07%	+3.34%

Volatility

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund (MAFOX) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 3.44%. This indicates that MAFOX'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

	MAFOX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	3.44%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.40%	10.09%	+5.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.22%	12.86%	+6.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.90%	17.01%	+6.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.78%	18.07%	+4.71%

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAFOX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAFOX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

MAFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 29.75%, more than VFIAX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAFOX BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund	29.75%	16.03%	4.04%	3.05%	2.01%	11.20%	0.53%	5.45%	4.43%	4.06%	0.00%	4.66%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.07%	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 MAFOX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, MAFOX and VFIAX 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, MAFOX or VFIAX?

MAFOX has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to VFIAX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAFOX dropped -89.93% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.56), 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.