PFSLX vs. VMCPX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PFSLX (Paradigm Select Fund) and VMCPX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PFSLX returned 17.10%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for VMCPX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFSLX charges 1.16%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VMCPX.

Performance

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VMCPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFSLX achieves a 43.63% return, which is significantly higher than VMCPX's 10.94% return. Over the past 10 years, PFSLX has outperformed VMCPX with an annualized return of 17.10%, while VMCPX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.58% annualized return.

PFSLX

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: 6.43%
• YTD: 43.63%
• 6M: 40.99%
• 1Y: 81.76%
• 3Y*: 29.91%
• 5Y*: 14.77%
• 10Y*: 17.10%

VMCPX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 10.29%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 17.08%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

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

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFSLX Paradigm Select Fund	43.63%	13.27%	16.73%	26.94%	-26.44%	31.16%	26.05%	38.32%	-9.93%	16.13%
VMCPX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	10.94%	11.70%	14.68%	16.55%	-18.68%	24.54%	18.20%	31.06%	-9.23%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between PFSLX and VMCPX is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2010	0.89

The correlation between PFSLX and VMCPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFSLX vs. VMCPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFSLX

PFSLX Risk / Return Rank: 92
PFSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PFSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PFSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PFSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PFSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VMCPX

VMCPX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VMCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VMCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VMCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VMCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VMCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VMCPX). 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.

	PFSLX	VMCPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.31	1.59	+1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	2.28	+1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.28	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.51	2.41	+5.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.49	9.17	+20.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFSLX Sharpe Ratio is 3.31, which is higher than the VMCPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFSLX and VMCPX, 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

	PFSLX	VMCPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.31	1.59	+1.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.46	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.61	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.63	-0.47

Drawdowns

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFSLX drawdown since its inception was -91.83%, which is greater than VMCPX's maximum drawdown of -39.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFSLX and VMCPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFSLX	VMCPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.83%	-39.30%	-52.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.91%	-8.13%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-91.83%	-18.93%	-72.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-91.83%	-27.54%	-64.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-91.83%	-39.30%	-52.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-82.62%	0.00%	-82.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.75%	-5.22%	-8.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.13%	+0.64%

Volatility

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Volatility Comparison

Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) has a higher volatility of 8.48% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VMCPX) at 3.02%. This indicates that PFSLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMCPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFSLX	VMCPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.48%	3.02%	+5.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.33%	9.30%	+10.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.75%	12.31%	+12.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	145.95%	17.63%	+128.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	104.38%	18.92%	+85.46%

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFSLX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VMCPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFSLX vs. VMCPX - Dividend Comparison

PFSLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than VMCPX's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFSLX Paradigm Select Fund	0.10%	0.14%	0.02%	0.31%	0.01%	0.17%	0.11%	0.58%	2.93%	3.89%	0.74%	9.40%
VMCPX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.36%	1.53%	1.50%	1.52%	1.61%	1.13%	1.45%	1.49%	1.84%	1.37%	1.47%	1.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFSLX and VMCPX in my portfolio?

PFSLX and VMCPX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFSLX or VMCPX?

PFSLX has higher volatility (8.48%) compared to VMCPX (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFSLX dropped -91.83% vs VMCPX's -39.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFSLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.31 vs 1.59), 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.