POGAX vs. VIGAX
POGAX (Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, POGAX returned 18.37%/yr vs 18.13%/yr for VIGAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. POGAX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VIGAX.
Performance
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, POGAX achieves a 6.16% return, which is significantly lower than VIGAX's 7.19% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with POGAX having a 18.37% annualized return and VIGAX not far behind at 18.13%.
POGAX
- 1D
- 1.57%
- 1M
- -0.15%
- YTD
- 6.16%
- 6M
- 5.64%
- 1Y
- 22.10%
- 3Y*
- 21.69%
- 5Y*
- 13.03%
- 10Y*
- 18.37%
VIGAX
- 1D
- 1.71%
- 1M
- -0.56%
- YTD
- 7.19%
- 6M
- 6.57%
- 1Y
- 25.66%
- 3Y*
- 23.75%
- 5Y*
- 14.14%
- 10Y*
- 18.13%
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund | 6.16% | 14.28% | 33.22% | 44.22% | -30.43% | 22.64% | 38.44% | 36.44% | 2.29% | 30.97% |
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares | 7.19% | 19.43% | 32.67% | 46.76% | -33.14% | 27.26% | 40.18% | 37.23% | -3.35% | 27.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between POGAX and VIGAX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000 | 0.98 |
The correlation between POGAX and VIGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
POGAX vs. VIGAX — Risk / Return Rank
POGAX
VIGAX
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| POGAX | VIGAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.26 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.32 | 1.52 | -0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.31 | 5.24 | -0.93 |
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Drawdowns
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum POGAX drawdown since its inception was -76.55%, which is greater than VIGAX's maximum drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POGAX and VIGAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| POGAX | VIGAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.55% | -50.66% | -25.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.42% | -16.51% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.66% | -23.04% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.15% | -35.63% | +1.48% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.15% | -35.63% | +1.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.19% | -3.55% | +0.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.99% | -11.94% | -17.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.00% | 4.79% | +0.21% |
Volatility
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison
Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) have volatilities of 6.30% and 6.58%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| POGAX | VIGAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.30% | 6.58% | -0.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.24% | 13.43% | -0.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.76% | 16.81% | -0.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.78% | 22.48% | -0.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.27% | 21.66% | -0.39% |
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
POGAX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGAX's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
POGAX vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison
POGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.35%, more than VIGAX's 0.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund | 5.35% | 5.68% | 4.58% | 0.49% | 7.80% | 9.08% | 3.29% | 3.83% | 7.98% | 1.89% | 0.01% | 5.70% |
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.37% | 0.40% | 0.46% | 0.57% | 0.69% | 0.47% | 0.66% | 0.94% | 1.31% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.31% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, POGAX and VIGAX 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.
VIGAX has higher volatility (6.58%) compared to POGAX (6.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POGAX dropped -76.55% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.
VIGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.29), 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.
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