PIOTX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PIOTX (Pioneer Core Equity Fund) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - PIOTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Amundi, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PIOTX returned 13.70%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for VIIIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PIOTX charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PIOTX having a 10.55% return and VIIIX slightly higher at 10.88%. Over the past 10 years, PIOTX has underperformed VIIIX with an annualized return of 13.70%, while VIIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.65% annualized return.

PIOTX

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 10.25%
• 1Y: 26.85%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: 13.70%

VIIIX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 10.80%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 22.87%
• 5Y*: 14.05%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIOTX Pioneer Core Equity Fund	10.55%	16.94%	14.35%	18.18%	-17.27%	25.81%	20.98%	31.42%	-8.32%	24.89%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	10.88%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PIOTX and VIIIX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 1997	0.94

The correlation between PIOTX and VIIIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.94 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PIOTX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIOTX

PIOTX Risk / Return Rank: 57
PIOTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
PIOTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
PIOTX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PIOTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
PIOTX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VIIIX

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

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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.

	PIOTX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.37	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.24	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	3.17	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.78	14.79	-4.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIOTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIOTX and VIIIX, 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

	PIOTX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	2.37	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.84	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.87	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.49	-0.36

Drawdowns

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIOTX drawdown since its inception was -66.24%, which is greater than VIIIX's maximum drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIOTX and VIIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIOTX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.24%	-55.18%	-11.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.35%	-8.90%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.40%	-18.75%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.49%	-24.50%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.79%	-33.79%	+2.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-0.74%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.15%	-10.02%	-10.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	1.90%	+0.59%

Volatility

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison

Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) have volatilities of 2.79% and 2.93%, 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

	PIOTX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	2.93%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.34%	8.99%	-0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.02%	11.88%	+0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	16.89%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.98%	18.06%	-0.08%

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIOTX has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIOTX vs. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison

PIOTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.81%, more than VIIIX's 2.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIOTX Pioneer Core Equity Fund	6.81%	7.53%	5.87%	2.83%	7.10%	20.38%	8.56%	3.06%	19.73%	9.04%	1.13%	0.74%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.43%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIOTX and VIIIX in my portfolio?

PIOTX and VIIIX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIOTX or VIIIX?

VIIIX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to PIOTX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIOTX dropped -66.24% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.24), 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.