POGRX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

POGRX (PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. POGRX is actively managed, while VFFSX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, POGRX returned 15.63%/yr vs 13.23%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POGRX charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund (POGRX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POGRX achieves a 27.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFFSX's 11.35% return.

POGRX

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 20.95%
• YTD: 27.40%
• 1Y: 54.93%
• 3Y*: 28.23%
• 5Y*: 15.63%
• 10Y*: 17.30%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 2.02%
• 6M: 9.20%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 1Y: 22.46%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 13.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POGRX PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund	27.40%	32.99%	13.09%	23.85%	-14.61%	18.81%	17.05%	23.98%	-4.56%	32.07%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.35%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between POGRX and VFFSX 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.89

The correlation between POGRX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POGRX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

POGRX

POGRX Risk / Return Rank: 90
POGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
POGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
POGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
POGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
POGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund (POGRX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	POGRX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	1.77	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	2.43	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.32	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	2.49	+1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.35	10.93	+4.41

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POGRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is higher than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POGRX and VFFSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POGRX drawdown since its inception was -51.63%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POGRX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POGRX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.63%	-33.82%	-17.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.40%	-8.90%	-5.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.13%	-18.75%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-24.51%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.82%	-0.32%	-4.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.11%	-4.47%	-2.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.50%	2.02%	+1.48%

Volatility

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund (POGRX) has a higher volatility of 9.27% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 4.26%. This indicates that POGRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POGRX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.27%	4.26%	+5.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.35%	9.96%	+7.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.37%	12.52%	+7.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.07%	17.00%	+3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.58%	18.38%	+2.20%

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POGRX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

POGRX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

POGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.54%, more than VFFSX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POGRX PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund	19.54%	24.89%	20.79%	13.28%	12.36%	13.68%	12.50%	5.13%	2.45%	1.54%	5.83%	1.29%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.07%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POGRX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

POGRX and VFFSX 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, POGRX or VFFSX?

POGRX has higher volatility (9.27%) compared to VFFSX (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POGRX dropped -51.63% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POGRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.77), 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.