PGOFX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PGOFX (Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PGOFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Amundi, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PGOFX returned 14.21%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGOFX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGOFX achieves a 22.77% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 10.87% return. Over the past 10 years, PGOFX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 14.21%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.54% annualized return.

PGOFX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 7.93%
• YTD: 22.77%
• 6M: 19.37%
• 1Y: 38.34%
• 3Y*: 25.95%
• 5Y*: 9.32%
• 10Y*: 14.21%

VFIAX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.78%
• 1Y: 27.99%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: 13.87%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGOFX Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	22.77%	20.66%	23.84%	18.66%	-31.26%	8.06%	38.86%	32.73%	-5.77%	29.88%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.87%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between PGOFX and VFIAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.87

The correlation between PGOFX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGOFX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGOFX

PGOFX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PGOFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PGOFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PGOFX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PGOFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PGOFX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX 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.

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	PGOFX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.37	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.24	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.43	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	3.16	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.91	14.76	+0.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGOFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGOFX and VFIAX, 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

	PGOFX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	2.37	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.83	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.86	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.47	-0.01

Drawdowns

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGOFX drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGOFX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGOFX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.17%	-55.20%	-6.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-8.90%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.15%	-18.75%	-9.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.78%	-24.53%	-15.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.78%	-33.83%	-5.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.73%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.70%	-9.40%	-2.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	1.90%	+0.72%

Volatility

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX) has a higher volatility of 5.80% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.92%. This indicates that PGOFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGOFX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	2.92%	+2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.86%	8.99%	+5.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.51%	11.88%	+7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.56%	16.90%	+6.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.05%	18.07%	+4.98%

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGOFX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGOFX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

PGOFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.53%, more than VFIAX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGOFX Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	13.53%	16.61%	12.14%	0.00%	1.84%	11.47%	13.77%	1.37%	16.05%	8.32%	1.69%	8.90%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.02%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGOFX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

PGOFX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGOFX or VFIAX?

PGOFX has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to VFIAX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGOFX dropped -62.17% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.01), 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.