PRFDX vs. VEIPX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRFDX (T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund) and VEIPX (Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRFDX returned 11.89%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for VEIPX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PRFDX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for VEIPX.

Performance

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRFDX achieves a 13.45% return, which is significantly higher than VEIPX's 8.31% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRFDX having a 11.89% annualized return and VEIPX not far behind at 11.72%.

PRFDX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 13.45%
• 6M: 13.33%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

VEIPX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 7.87%
• 1Y: 21.38%
• 3Y*: 15.95%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: 11.72%

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

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	13.45%	14.60%	11.85%	9.75%	-3.25%	25.60%	1.28%	33.66%	-9.29%	15.46%
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	8.31%	17.14%	14.80%	7.66%	-0.16%	25.41%	2.97%	25.21%	-5.75%	17.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFDX and VEIPX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 1988	0.96

The correlation between PRFDX and VEIPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRFDX vs. VEIPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRFDX

PRFDX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PRFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PRFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PRFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PRFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PRFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VEIPX

VEIPX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VEIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VEIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VEIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VEIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) and Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX). 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	VEIPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.08	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.96	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	3.02	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.90	11.23	+1.67

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the VEIPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFDX and VEIPX, 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. VEIPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFDX drawdown since its inception was -58.12%, which is greater than VEIPX's maximum drawdown of -54.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFDX and VEIPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFDX	VEIPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.12%	-54.12%	-4.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-7.15%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.35%	-13.39%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.08%	-15.16%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.71%	-35.26%	-4.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-1.26%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.25%	-5.50%	-0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.92%	+0.05%

Volatility

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (PRFDX) has a higher volatility of 3.67% compared to Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) at 2.84%. This indicates that PRFDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEIPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFDX	VEIPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	2.84%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.36%	7.59%	+0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.00%	10.37%	+0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.94%	13.91%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.88%	16.31%	+1.57%

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFDX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VEIPX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFDX vs. VEIPX - Dividend Comparison

PRFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, less than VEIPX's 10.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRFDX T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund	2.40%	2.76%	8.91%	6.19%	6.61%	8.78%	3.55%	12.53%	11.43%	8.97%	7.75%	7.48%
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	10.15%	10.94%	9.74%	7.87%	8.69%	7.62%	2.77%	4.36%	10.87%	2.98%	3.78%	6.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRFDX and VEIPX in my portfolio?

PRFDX and VEIPX have a correlation of 0.87, 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 VEIPX?

PRFDX has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to VEIPX (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFDX dropped -58.12% vs VEIPX's -54.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.08), 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.