PAGDX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PAGDX (Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PAGDX returned 19.27%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAGDX charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX) 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, PAGDX achieves a 15.21% return, which is significantly higher than VFFSX's 10.88% return.

PAGDX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 8.07%
• YTD: 15.21%
• 6M: 17.84%
• 1Y: 41.67%
• 3Y*: 40.20%
• 5Y*: 19.27%
• 10Y*: —

VFFSX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	15.21%	36.58%	44.15%	38.39%	-26.25%	24.53%	37.32%	40.01%	-12.62%	19.29%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	10.88%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PAGDX and VFFSX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.88

The correlation between PAGDX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PAGDX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAGDX

PAGDX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PAGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PAGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PAGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PAGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PAGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX) 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.

	PAGDX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.37	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.24	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.58	3.17	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.52	14.79	+4.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAGDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAGDX 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

	PAGDX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.37	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.83	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.85	-0.03

Drawdowns

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAGDX drawdown since its inception was -38.03%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAGDX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAGDX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.03%	-33.82%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-8.90%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.37%	-18.75%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.66%	-24.51%	-12.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.74%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-4.50%	-2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.90%	+0.25%

Volatility

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX) has a higher volatility of 4.75% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 2.93%. This indicates that PAGDX'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

	PAGDX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.75%	2.93%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.95%	9.00%	+3.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.18%	11.89%	+5.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.45%	16.90%	+7.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.96%	18.41%	+6.55%

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAGDX has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAGDX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

PAGDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	0.03%	0.03%	5.48%	2.59%	7.53%	6.80%	14.94%	16.97%	12.25%	8.50%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.04%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAGDX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

PAGDX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAGDX or VFFSX?

PAGDX has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to VFFSX (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAGDX dropped -38.03% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.37), 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.