PAGRX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PAGRX (Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PAGRX returned 19.92%/yr vs 13.07%/yr for VSTSX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAGRX charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio (PAGRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAGRX achieves a 16.20% return, which is significantly higher than VSTSX's 11.99% return.

PAGRX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 8.87%
• YTD: 16.20%
• 6M: 19.31%
• 1Y: 43.21%
• 3Y*: 40.90%
• 5Y*: 19.92%
• 10Y*: 20.75%

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAGRX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio	16.20%	36.92%	44.52%	38.73%	-26.06%	24.84%	37.65%	40.34%	-12.41%	19.62%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.99%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PAGRX and VSTSX is 0.84, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.90

The correlation between PAGRX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PAGRX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAGRX

PAGRX Risk / Return Rank: 81
PAGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
PAGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PAGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
PAGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PAGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX 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.

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio (PAGRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	PAGRX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.47	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.37	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.44	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.96	3.38	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.16	15.60	+5.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAGRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAGRX and VSTSX, 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

	PAGRX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	2.47	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.76	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.80	-0.26

Drawdowns

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAGRX drawdown since its inception was -55.87%, which is greater than VSTSX's maximum drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAGRX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAGRX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.87%	-34.97%	-20.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.14%	-8.92%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.34%	-19.36%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.52%	-25.35%	-11.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.05%	-4.89%	-5.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.93%	+0.21%

Volatility

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio (PAGRX) has a higher volatility of 4.70% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) at 2.95%. This indicates that PAGRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAGRX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	2.95%	+1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.94%	9.19%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.17%	12.19%	+4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.45%	17.36%	+7.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.52%	18.76%	+5.76%

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAGRX has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAGRX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

PAGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than VSTSX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAGRX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Portfolio	0.03%	0.03%	5.62%	2.72%	7.79%	6.82%	15.08%	17.51%	12.33%	8.70%	16.94%	6.31%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.02%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAGRX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

PAGRX and VSTSX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAGRX or VSTSX?

PAGRX has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to VSTSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAGRX dropped -55.87% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAGRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.47), 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.