PRFDX vs. VDADX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PRFDX (T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Dividend funds. Over the past 10 years, PRFDX returned 11.96%/yr vs 13.01%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PRFDX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRFDX achieves a 17.26% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 10.06% return. Over the past 10 years, PRFDX has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 11.96%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.01% annualized return.

PRFDX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 13.04%
• YTD: 17.26%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 15.58%
• 5Y*: 11.23%
• 10Y*: 11.96%
• ALL TIME*: 10.01%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 0.54%
• 6M: 8.00%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 1Y: 19.48%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 13.01%
• ALL TIME*: 11.90%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	17.26%	14.60%	11.85%	9.75%	-3.25%	25.60%	1.28%	33.66%	-9.29%	15.46%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.06%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFDX and VDADX is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.86

The correlation between PRFDX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRFDX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PRFDX

PRFDX Risk / Return Rank: 91
PRFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PRFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PRFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PRFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PRFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	PRFDX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.72	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.49	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.31	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	2.21	+1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.67	8.99	+4.68

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFDX and VDADX, 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

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFDX drawdown since its inception was -58.12%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFDX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFDX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.12%	-31.70%	-26.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-7.93%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.35%	-14.95%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.08%	-20.42%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.71%	-31.70%	-8.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.67%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-3.37%	-2.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.95%	-0.01%

Volatility

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.63%. This indicates that PRFDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFDX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.63%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.32%	7.64%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.13%	10.19%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.84%	14.25%	+0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.78%	16.16%	+1.62%

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFDX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFDX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

PRFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.25%, more than VDADX's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	2.25%	2.76%	8.91%	6.19%	6.61%	8.78%	3.55%	12.53%	11.43%	8.97%	7.75%	7.48%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRFDX and VDADX in my portfolio?

PRFDX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRFDX or VDADX?

PRFDX has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to VDADX (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFDX dropped -58.12% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.72), 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.