PRUFX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRUFX (T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - PRUFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PRUFX returned 16.29%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for VIIIX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRUFX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I (PRUFX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRUFX achieves a 7.04% return, which is significantly lower than VIIIX's 11.70% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRUFX having a 16.29% annualized return and VIIIX not far behind at 15.74%.

PRUFX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 6.84%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 6.28%
• 1Y: 23.26%
• 3Y*: 24.99%
• 5Y*: 10.95%
• 10Y*: 16.29%

VIIIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 23.17%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

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

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRUFX T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I	7.04%	15.79%	38.50%	45.49%	-40.03%	20.01%	37.08%	31.83%	-0.90%	33.79%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	11.70%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PRUFX and VIIIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.90

The correlation between PRUFX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRUFX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRUFX

PRUFX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PRUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PRUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
PRUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PRUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PRUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I (PRUFX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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.

	PRUFX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.52	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	3.42	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.46	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	3.36	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	15.69	-11.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRUFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRUFX and VIIIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PRUFX	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.52	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.86	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.87	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.50	+0.21

Drawdowns

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRUFX drawdown since its inception was -46.35%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRUFX and VIIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRUFX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.35%	-55.18%	+8.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.97%	-8.90%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.66%	-18.75%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.35%	-24.50%	-21.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.35%	-33.79%	-12.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	0.00%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.57%	-10.02%	+0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.61%	1.90%	+3.71%

Volatility

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I (PRUFX) has a higher volatility of 3.60% compared to Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) at 2.83%. This indicates that PRUFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRUFX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	2.83%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	8.97%	+2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.81%	11.86%	+3.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.09%	16.89%	+6.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.09%	18.06%	+4.03%

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRUFX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRUFX vs. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison

PRUFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.61%, more than VIIIX's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRUFX T. Rowe Price Growth Stock I	12.61%	13.50%	13.20%	3.33%	3.54%	9.50%	3.64%	2.52%	9.26%	13.72%	2.38%	0.00%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.41%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRUFX and VIIIX in my portfolio?

PRUFX and VIIIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRUFX or VIIIX?

PRUFX has higher volatility (3.60%) compared to VIIIX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRUFX dropped -46.35% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.51), 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.