MEQFX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MEQFX (AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, MEQFX returned 8.92%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MEQFX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund (MEQFX) 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, MEQFX achieves a -4.53% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

MEQFX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: -4.53%
• 6M: -13.83%
• 1Y: -9.02%
• 3Y*: 10.41%
• 5Y*: 8.92%
• 10Y*: 10.59%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MEQFX AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund	-4.53%	-2.58%	24.99%	19.53%	-9.50%	43.58%	-4.00%	16.01%	8.16%	14.35%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between MEQFX and VFFSX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.78

The correlation between MEQFX and VFFSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MEQFX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MEQFX

MEQFX Risk / Return Rank: 1
MEQFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
MEQFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
MEQFX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
MEQFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
MEQFX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund (MEQFX) 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.

	MEQFX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.52	2.52	-3.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.55	3.42	-3.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.46	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	3.36	-3.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.98	15.70	-16.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MEQFX Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MEQFX 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

	MEQFX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.52	2.52	-3.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.85	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.86	-0.55

Drawdowns

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEQFX drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEQFX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEQFX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.38%	-33.82%	-21.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.43%	-8.90%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.43%	-18.75%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.48%	-24.51%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.77%	0.00%	-15.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.18%	-4.50%	-7.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.79%	1.90%	+6.89%

Volatility

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund (MEQFX) has a higher volatility of 3.34% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 2.83%. This indicates that MEQFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MEQFX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	2.83%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.76%	8.98%	+5.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.74%	11.86%	+4.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	16.90%	+0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.60%	18.41%	+1.19%

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MEQFX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

MEQFX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

MEQFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEQFX AMG River Road Large Cap Value Select Fund	0.00%	0.00%	4.48%	0.98%	2.13%	27.90%	0.00%	9.17%	3.40%	30.28%	5.96%	11.63%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	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 MEQFX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

MEQFX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MEQFX or VFFSX?

MEQFX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to VFFSX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEQFX dropped -55.38% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.52), 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.