PARNX vs. VMGMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PARNX (Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund) and VMGMX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PARNX returned 9.42%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for VMGMX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PARNX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VMGMX.

Performance

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PARNX achieves a 5.76% return, which is significantly lower than VMGMX's 8.36% return. Over the past 10 years, PARNX has underperformed VMGMX with an annualized return of 9.42%, while VMGMX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.17% annualized return.

PARNX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 3.17%
• 1Y: 15.93%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

VMGMX

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 4.40%
• YTD: 8.36%
• 6M: 6.16%
• 1Y: 11.48%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 6.88%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PARNX Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund	5.76%	9.14%	10.58%	35.60%	-33.54%	9.35%	28.75%	29.82%	-9.80%	16.12%
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	8.36%	10.69%	15.65%	23.93%	-28.84%	20.48%	34.45%	33.85%	-5.61%	21.83%

Correlation

The correlation between PARNX and VMGMX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2011	0.92

The correlation between PARNX and VMGMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PARNX vs. VMGMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PARNX

PARNX Risk / Return Rank: 13
PARNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
PARNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
PARNX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
PARNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
PARNX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VMGMX

VMGMX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VMGMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VMGMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VMGMX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX). 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.

	PARNX	VMGMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.72	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	1.11	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.13	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.21	0.72	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.00	2.16	+1.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PARNX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is higher than the VMGMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PARNX and VMGMX, 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

	PARNX	VMGMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	0.72	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.32	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.58	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.64	-0.21

Drawdowns

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PARNX drawdown since its inception was -54.34%, which is greater than VMGMX's maximum drawdown of -37.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PARNX and VMGMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PARNX	VMGMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.34%	-37.17%	-17.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.49%	-15.95%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.87%	-21.65%	-6.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.75%	-37.17%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.75%	-37.17%	-4.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.83%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.68%	-7.02%	-5.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.36%	5.31%	-0.95%

Volatility

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Volatility Comparison

Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund (PARNX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX) have volatilities of 4.60% and 4.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PARNX	VMGMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	4.42%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.11%	12.46%	+1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.63%	15.92%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.87%	21.42%	+2.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.88%	20.99%	+0.89%

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PARNX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than VMGMX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PARNX vs. VMGMX - Dividend Comparison

PARNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.41%, more than VMGMX's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PARNX Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund	16.41%	17.36%	7.38%	2.86%	1.23%	4.50%	5.20%	4.21%	7.94%	7.96%	2.04%	19.70%
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PARNX and VMGMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PARNX and VMGMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PARNX or VMGMX?

PARNX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VMGMX (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PARNX dropped -54.34% vs VMGMX's -37.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PARNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.72), 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.