PREIX vs. PRWCX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PREIX (T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund) and PRWCX (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund) are both mutual funds - PREIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while PRWCX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. PREIX is passively managed, while PRWCX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PREIX returned 15.55%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for PRWCX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PREIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for PRWCX.

Performance

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (PRWCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PREIX achieves a 9.68% return, which is significantly higher than PRWCX's 4.53% return. Over the past 10 years, PREIX has outperformed PRWCX with an annualized return of 15.55%, while PRWCX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.36% annualized return.

PREIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.68%
• 6M: 8.67%
• 1Y: 25.27%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

PRWCX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: 4.53%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 12.48%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

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

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PREIX T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund	9.68%	17.66%	24.78%	26.07%	-18.27%	28.48%	18.17%	31.47%	-4.59%	21.01%
PRWCX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund	4.53%	12.45%	12.50%	18.85%	-12.00%	18.45%	18.13%	24.62%	0.63%	15.34%

Correlation

The correlation between PREIX and PRWCX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1991	0.86

The correlation between PREIX and PRWCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PREIX vs. PRWCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PREIX

PREIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PREIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PREIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PREIX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PREIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PREIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

PRWCX

PRWCX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PRWCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
PRWCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
PRWCX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PRWCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PRWCX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (PRWCX). 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.

	PREIX	PRWCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.68	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.37	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.31	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	2.07	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.43	8.70	+4.73

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PREIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the PRWCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PREIX and PRWCX, 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

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PREIX drawdown since its inception was -55.32%, which is greater than PRWCX's maximum drawdown of -41.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PREIX and PRWCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PREIX	PRWCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.32%	-41.77%	-13.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-6.32%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-15.96%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.60%	-17.07%	-7.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.81%	-26.86%	-6.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-1.58%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.71%	-3.33%	-5.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.50%	+0.48%

Volatility

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX) has a higher volatility of 4.68% compared to T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (PRWCX) at 2.80%. This indicates that PREIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRWCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PREIX	PRWCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	2.80%	+1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.84%	6.47%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	7.81%	+4.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.09%	12.79%	+4.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.15%	12.76%	+5.39%

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PREIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PRWCX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

PREIX vs. PRWCX - Dividend Comparison

PREIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, less than PRWCX's 8.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PREIX T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund	2.14%	2.32%	1.17%	1.32%	1.50%	1.56%	1.97%	2.13%	2.60%	1.30%	2.03%	2.02%
PRWCX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund	8.43%	8.81%	10.38%	4.15%	9.44%	9.23%	7.97%	5.83%	7.46%	6.82%	3.51%	9.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PREIX and PRWCX in my portfolio?

PREIX and PRWCX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PREIX or PRWCX?

PREIX has higher volatility (4.68%) compared to PRWCX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PREIX dropped -55.32% vs PRWCX's -41.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.68), 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.