PXWEX vs. VFTAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PXWEX (Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund) and VFTAX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PXWEX is a Global Equities fund managed by Impax Asset Management, while VFTAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, PXWEX returned 7.80%/yr vs 13.82%/yr for VFTAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXWEX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFTAX.

Performance

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund (PXWEX) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXWEX achieves a 10.47% return, which is significantly lower than VFTAX's 11.67% return.

PXWEX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 4.69%
• YTD: 10.47%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 24.29%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 7.80%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

VFTAX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 7.31%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 23.26%
• 5Y*: 13.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PXWEX Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund	10.47%	17.41%	12.15%	18.14%	-19.99%	17.28%	13.67%	17.43%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.67%	17.25%	25.97%	31.78%	-24.22%	27.70%	22.63%	23.59%

Correlation

The correlation between PXWEX and VFTAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.93

The correlation between PXWEX and VFTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PXWEX vs. VFTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXWEX

PXWEX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PXWEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PXWEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
PXWEX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PXWEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PXWEX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VFTAX

VFTAX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VFTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund (PXWEX) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). 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.

	PXWEX	VFTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.28	-0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.09	-0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.41	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	2.55	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.60	10.83	+0.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXWEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the VFTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXWEX and VFTAX, 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

	PXWEX	VFTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	2.28	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.76	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.83	-0.47

Drawdowns

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXWEX drawdown since its inception was -53.70%, which is greater than VFTAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXWEX and VFTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXWEX	VFTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.70%	-34.20%	-19.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.60%	-11.84%	+2.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.31%	-20.18%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.67%	-29.12%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.80%	-6.27%	-3.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	2.78%	-0.61%

Volatility

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Volatility Comparison

Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund (PXWEX) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) have volatilities of 3.34% and 3.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXWEX	VFTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	3.26%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.55%	10.14%	-0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.06%	13.27%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	18.37%	-2.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.97%	20.78%	-3.81%

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXWEX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VFTAX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXWEX vs. VFTAX - Dividend Comparison

PXWEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.90%, more than VFTAX's 0.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PXWEX Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund	8.90%	9.83%	9.47%	1.60%	3.12%	1.21%	1.04%	3.03%	4.90%	2.49%	1.80%	2.41%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.79%	0.85%	0.99%	1.10%	1.34%	0.94%	1.21%	1.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXWEX and VFTAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PXWEX and VFTAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PXWEX or VFTAX?

PXWEX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to VFTAX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXWEX dropped -53.70% vs VFTAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.07), 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.