SBSPX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SBSPX (Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SBSPX returned 14.42%/yr vs 16.66%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SBSPX charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund (SBSPX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBSPX achieves a 11.43% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 21.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SBSPX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 14.42%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.66% annualized return.

SBSPX

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 1.59%
• 6M: 10.22%
• YTD: 11.43%
• 1Y: 20.86%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: 12.56%
• 10Y*: 14.42%
• ALL TIME*: 8.79%

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -3.00%
• 6M: 15.98%
• YTD: 21.92%
• 1Y: 46.44%
• 3Y*: 24.82%
• 5Y*: 15.00%
• 10Y*: 16.66%
• ALL TIME*: 12.36%

*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)
SBSPX Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SBSPX Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund	11.43%	17.25%	24.35%	25.62%	-18.49%	27.92%	17.86%	30.68%	-4.94%	19.50%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	21.92%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SBSPX and VPMAX is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.94

The correlation between SBSPX and VPMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SBSPX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBSPX

SBSPX Risk / Return Rank: 70
SBSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SBSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SBSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SBSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SBSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund (SBSPX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	SBSPX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.57	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.46	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.45	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	4.17	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.82	15.37	-4.55

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBSPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBSPX and VPMAX, 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

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBSPX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, which is greater than VPMAX's maximum drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBSPX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBSPX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.62%	-48.32%	-7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-11.72%	+2.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.82%	-20.55%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.66%	-25.21%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.82%	-32.65%	-1.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-6.59%	+6.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.60%	-6.56%	-4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	3.17%	-1.07%

Volatility

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund (SBSPX) is 3.82%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 5.84%. This indicates that SBSPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBSPX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	5.84%	-2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.22%	16.14%	-5.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.87%	19.02%	-6.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	18.81%	-1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.12%	19.40%	-1.28%

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBSPX has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than VPMAX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBSPX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

SBSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than VPMAX's 13.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SBSPX Franklin S&P 500 Index Fund	0.70%	0.78%	1.11%	0.97%	4.08%	5.10%	5.99%	5.49%	5.96%	3.50%	4.08%	2.65%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.50%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBSPX and VPMAX in my portfolio?

SBSPX and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBSPX or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to SBSPX (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBSPX dropped -55.62% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.77), 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.