NSC vs. VIGIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NSC (Norfolk Southern Corporation) is a stock, while VIGIX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, NSC returned 16.33%/yr vs 18.43%/yr for VIGIX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

NSC vs. VIGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSC achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly lower than VIGIX's 11.14% return. Over the past 10 years, NSC has underperformed VIGIX with an annualized return of 16.33%, while VIGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.43% annualized return.

NSC

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -2.22%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 15.00%
• 5Y*: 4.09%
• 10Y*: 16.33%

VIGIX

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 30.70%
• 3Y*: 26.59%
• 5Y*: 15.55%
• 10Y*: 18.43%

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

NSC vs. VIGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	7.46%	25.65%	1.55%	-1.63%	-15.59%	27.26%	24.76%	32.39%	5.22%	36.85%
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.14%	19.44%	32.68%	46.77%	-33.13%	27.27%	40.19%	37.26%	-3.34%	27.81%

Correlation

The correlation between NSC and VIGIX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 1998	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between NSC and VIGIX has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NSC vs. VIGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSC

NSC Risk / Return Rank: 78
NSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
NSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
NSC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
NSC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VIGIX

VIGIX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VIGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VIGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VIGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VIGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VIGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

NSC vs. VIGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX). 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.

	NSC	VIGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.00	-0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.68	-0.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	1.91	+0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	6.73	-0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSC vs. VIGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the VIGIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSC and VIGIX, 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

	NSC	VIGIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.00	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.70	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.86	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.47	-0.05

Drawdowns

NSC vs. VIGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSC drawdown since its inception was -67.74%, which is greater than VIGIX's maximum drawdown of -56.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSC and VIGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSC	VIGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.74%	-56.95%	-10.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.47%	-16.51%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.11%	-23.03%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.64%	-35.62%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.42%	-35.62%	-8.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.57%	0.00%	-5.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.14%	-16.28%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	4.68%	-0.59%

Volatility

NSC vs. VIGIX - Volatility Comparison

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has a higher volatility of 7.74% compared to Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX) at 3.59%. This indicates that NSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSC	VIGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.74%	3.59%	+4.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	12.11%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.67%	15.90%	+3.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.05%	22.35%	+2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.54%	21.59%	+5.95%

Dividends

NSC vs. VIGIX - Dividend Comparison

NSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than VIGIX's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	1.76%	1.87%	2.30%	2.28%	2.01%	1.40%	1.58%	1.85%	2.03%	1.68%	2.18%	2.79%
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.15%	1.40%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSC and VIGIX in my portfolio?

NSC and VIGIX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSC or VIGIX?

NSC has higher volatility (7.74%) compared to VIGIX (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSC dropped -67.74% vs VIGIX's -56.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.42), 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.