NEFFX vs. VHT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NEFFX (American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both funds - NEFFX is a Global Equities fund managed by American Funds, while VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, NEFFX returned 16.65%/yr vs 9.26%/yr for VHT. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NEFFX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VHT.

Performance

NEFFX vs. VHT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEFFX achieves a 22.99% return, which is significantly higher than VHT's -4.02% return. Over the past 10 years, NEFFX has outperformed VHT with an annualized return of 16.65%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively lower 9.26% annualized return.

NEFFX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 10.70%
• YTD: 22.99%
• 6M: 25.48%
• 1Y: 55.04%
• 3Y*: 31.00%
• 5Y*: 14.59%
• 10Y*: 16.65%

VHT

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: -4.02%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: 14.34%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 4.51%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

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

NEFFX vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEFFX American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2	22.99%	31.31%	23.87%	29.47%	-29.50%	12.31%	33.79%	26.75%	-4.17%	34.66%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-4.02%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between NEFFX and VHT is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2008	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between NEFFX and VHT has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NEFFX vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEFFX

NEFFX Risk / Return Rank: 88
NEFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
NEFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NEFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NEFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NEFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

NEFFX vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.

	NEFFX	VHT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.28	1.00	+2.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.10	1.57	+2.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.18	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.23	1.38	+2.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.96	3.47	+15.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEFFX vs. VHT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEFFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.28, which is higher than the VHT Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEFFX and VHT, 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

	NEFFX	VHT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.28	1.00	+2.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.30	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.55	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.56	+0.13

Drawdowns

NEFFX vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEFFX drawdown since its inception was -45.12%, which is greater than VHT's maximum drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEFFX and VHT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEFFX	VHT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.12%	-39.12%	-6.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.32%	-10.40%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.78%	-16.91%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.95%	-17.71%	-19.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.95%	-28.85%	-8.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.05%	+7.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.61%	-5.99%	-1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	4.14%	-1.18%

Volatility

NEFFX vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2 (NEFFX) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) at 4.08%. This indicates that NEFFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VHT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEFFX	VHT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	4.08%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.71%	10.08%	+3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.19%	14.34%	+2.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.39%	14.96%	+4.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	16.94%	+2.17%

NEFFX vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEFFX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEFFX vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison

NEFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.03%, more than VHT's 1.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEFFX American Funds The New Economy Fund® Class F-2	8.03%	9.87%	9.61%	4.19%	0.19%	7.55%	2.69%	7.57%	10.31%	8.50%	2.51%	6.41%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.71%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEFFX and VHT in my portfolio?

NEFFX and VHT have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEFFX or VHT?

NEFFX has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VHT (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEFFX dropped -45.12% vs VHT's -39.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 1.00), 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.