QCOM vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QCOM (QUALCOMM Incorporated) is a stock, while VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, QCOM returned 18.10%/yr vs 15.40%/yr for VFIAX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCOM achieves a 25.03% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 8.58% return. Over the past 10 years, QCOM has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 18.10%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.40% annualized return.

QCOM

• 1D: 4.32%
• 1M: 5.47%
• YTD: 25.03%
• 6M: 19.95%
• 1Y: 39.72%
• 3Y*: 22.00%
• 5Y*: 11.87%
• 10Y*: 18.10%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.75%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 8.58%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: 25.15%
• 3Y*: 21.03%
• 5Y*: 13.30%
• 10Y*: 15.40%

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

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	25.03%	13.84%	8.31%	35.07%	-38.58%	22.25%	77.08%	60.76%	-7.59%	2.05%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	8.58%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOM and VFIAX is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.63

The correlation between QCOM and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QCOM vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCOM

QCOM Risk / Return Rank: 66
QCOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
QCOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
QCOM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QCOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QCOM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VFIAX 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.

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	QCOM	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	1.97	-1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	2.67	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.36	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	2.73	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.44	12.43	-9.99

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCOM Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCOM and VFIAX, 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

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOM drawdown since its inception was -86.75%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOM and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOM	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.75%	-55.20%	-31.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.13%	-8.90%	-24.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.23%	-18.75%	-25.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.29%	-24.53%	-19.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.29%	-33.83%	-10.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.34%	-2.79%	-12.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.87%	-9.39%	-23.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.89%	1.95%	+12.94%

Volatility

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) has a higher volatility of 27.32% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 4.43%. This indicates that QCOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCOM	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	27.32%	4.43%	+22.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.18%	9.70%	+32.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.52%	12.37%	+36.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.17%	16.97%	+24.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.28%	18.10%	+21.18%

Dividends

QCOM vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

QCOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, more than VFIAX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	1.70%	2.06%	2.18%	2.18%	2.67%	1.47%	1.69%	2.81%	4.27%	3.50%	3.17%	3.72%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.04%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOM and VFIAX in my portfolio?

QCOM and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCOM or VFIAX?

QCOM has higher volatility (27.32%) compared to VFIAX (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOM dropped -86.75% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.75), 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.