PRHSX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRHSX (T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PRHSX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PRHSX returned 10.77%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRHSX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

PRHSX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRHSX achieves a -1.52% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 9.75% return. Over the past 10 years, PRHSX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 10.77%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.

PRHSX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: -1.52%
• 6M: -2.57%
• 1Y: 22.07%
• 3Y*: 6.30%
• 5Y*: 2.61%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

VOO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.75%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 15.77%

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

PRHSX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund	-1.52%	17.75%	1.82%	3.03%	-12.22%	13.50%	30.19%	37.88%	1.08%	28.04%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.75%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PRHSX and VOO is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between PRHSX and VOO has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PRHSX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRHSX

PRHSX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PRHSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PRHSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
PRHSX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
PRHSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PRHSX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

PRHSX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	PRHSX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.17	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.93	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	3.02	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.74	13.58	-8.84

PRHSX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRHSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRHSX and VOO, 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

PRHSX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRHSX drawdown since its inception was -42.96%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRHSX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRHSX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.96%	-33.99%	-8.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-8.90%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.00%	-18.69%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.61%	-24.52%	-3.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.97%	-33.99%	+5.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.61%	-1.74%	-2.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.74%	-3.68%	-5.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.55%	1.98%	+2.57%

Volatility

PRHSX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 4.60%. This indicates that PRHSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRHSX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	4.60%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.20%	9.73%	+2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	12.39%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.28%	16.90%	+0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.27%	18.05%	+1.22%

PRHSX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRHSX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRHSX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

PRHSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.28%, more than VOO's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund	12.28%	12.09%	12.89%	5.21%	1.77%	7.46%	7.16%	12.29%	6.57%	7.43%	4.55%	11.34%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRHSX and VOO in my portfolio?

PRHSX and VOO have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRHSX or VOO?

PRHSX has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to VOO (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRHSX dropped -42.96% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.38), 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.