RSEAX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RSEAX (Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, RSEAX returned 9.28%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for VFFSX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. RSEAX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund (RSEAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RSEAX having a 8.94% return and VFFSX slightly higher at 9.35%.

RSEAX

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 8.17%
• YTD: 8.94%
• 1Y: 18.17%
• 3Y*: 16.55%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 10Y*: 12.66%
• ALL TIME*: 12.58%

VFFSX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 7.79%
• YTD: 9.35%
• 1Y: 20.63%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RSEAX Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSEAX Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund	8.94%	14.44%	19.90%	26.15%	-21.05%	20.19%	23.44%	29.58%	-9.98%	20.77%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	9.35%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between RSEAX and VFFSX is 0.98 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.97

The correlation between RSEAX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RSEAX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RSEAX

RSEAX Risk / Return Rank: 42
RSEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
RSEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
RSEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
RSEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
RSEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund (RSEAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	RSEAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.43	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	2.00	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	2.06	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.98	8.86	-1.88

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSEAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSEAX and VFFSX, 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

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSEAX drawdown since its inception was -34.37%, roughly equal to the maximum VFFSX drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSEAX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSEAX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.37%	-33.82%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-8.90%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.68%	-18.75%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.52%	-24.51%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-2.11%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-4.46%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.07%	+0.18%

Volatility

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund (RSEAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) have volatilities of 3.36% and 3.45%, 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

	RSEAX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	3.45%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	10.10%	-0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	12.86%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.56%	17.02%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.84%	18.36%	+0.48%

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSEAX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSEAX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

RSEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.68%, more than VFFSX's 1.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSEAX Russell Investments U.S. Strategic Equity Fund	10.68%	11.81%	10.74%	4.04%	6.61%	7.64%	0.52%	5.07%	23.30%	9.12%	5.47%	6.41%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.09%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSEAX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, RSEAX and VFFSX 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, RSEAX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to RSEAX (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSEAX dropped -34.37% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.25), 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.