PXWGX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PXWGX (Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PXWGX returned 13.09%/yr vs 13.07%/yr for VSTSX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PXWGX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund (PXWGX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXWGX achieves a 13.32% return, which is significantly higher than VSTSX's 11.99% return.

PXWGX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 8.49%
• YTD: 13.32%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 31.40%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.09%
• 10Y*: 13.97%

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXWGX Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund	13.32%	15.75%	20.64%	24.46%	-18.33%	30.27%	13.35%	27.16%	-4.54%	21.18%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.99%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PXWGX and VSTSX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.97

The correlation between PXWGX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PXWGX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXWGX

PXWGX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PXWGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PXWGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
PXWGX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
PXWGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
PXWGX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX 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.

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund (PXWGX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	PXWGX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.47	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	3.37	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.44	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	3.38	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.55	15.60	-0.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXWGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXWGX and VSTSX, 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

	PXWGX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.47	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.76	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.80	-0.40

Drawdowns

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXWGX drawdown since its inception was -57.59%, which is greater than VSTSX's maximum drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXWGX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXWGX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.59%	-34.97%	-22.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-8.92%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.98%	-19.36%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.98%	-25.35%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-4.89%	-9.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	1.93%	+0.17%

Volatility

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund (PXWGX) has a higher volatility of 3.50% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) at 2.95%. This indicates that PXWGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXWGX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	2.95%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.55%	9.19%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.45%	12.19%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.83%	17.36%	+1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	18.76%	-0.19%

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXWGX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXWGX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

PXWGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than VSTSX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PXWGX Pax U.S. Sustainable Economy Fund	4.75%	5.39%	16.28%	5.95%	7.66%	21.85%	1.92%	3.36%	7.95%	4.53%	10.42%	6.37%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.02%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXWGX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PXWGX and VSTSX 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, PXWGX or VSTSX?

PXWGX has higher volatility (3.50%) compared to VSTSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXWGX dropped -57.59% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PXWGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.47), 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.