SHSAX vs. VHCIX
SHSAX (BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio) and VHCIX (Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SHSAX returned 10.16%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for VHCIX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SHSAX charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VHCIX.
Performance
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SHSAX achieves a -0.54% return, which is significantly lower than VHCIX's -0.01% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SHSAX having a 10.16% annualized return and VHCIX not far behind at 10.14%.
SHSAX
- 1D
- 1.08%
- 1M
- 2.86%
- YTD
- -0.54%
- 6M
- -1.60%
- 1Y
- 17.42%
- 3Y*
- 6.98%
- 5Y*
- 3.97%
- 10Y*
- 10.16%
VHCIX
- 1D
- 1.31%
- 1M
- 2.65%
- YTD
- -0.01%
- 6M
- -0.92%
- 1Y
- 17.77%
- 3Y*
- 7.08%
- 5Y*
- 4.60%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHSAX BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio | -0.54% | 15.85% | 3.73% | 3.59% | -5.94% | 11.88% | 19.44% | 25.27% | 7.93% | 24.74% |
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.01% | 15.43% | 2.64% | 2.48% | -5.50% | 20.56% | 18.22% | 21.97% | 5.55% | 23.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between SHSAX and VHCIX is 0.98 - 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 | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004 | 0.96 |
The correlation between SHSAX and VHCIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SHSAX vs. VHCIX — Risk / Return Rank
SHSAX
VHCIX
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (SHSAX) and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX). 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.
| SHSAX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.23 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.94 | 1.86 | +0.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.65 | 4.58 | +0.08 |
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Drawdowns
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SHSAX drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, smaller than the maximum VHCIX drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHSAX and VHCIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SHSAX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -39.12% | +3.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.87% | -10.39% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.08% | -16.89% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.99% | -17.77% | -0.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.36% | -28.58% | +0.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.41% | -3.20% | -0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.17% | -5.97% | -0.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.10% | 4.22% | -0.12% |
Volatility
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Volatility Comparison
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (SHSAX) and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) have volatilities of 5.15% and 5.11%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SHSAX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.15% | 5.11% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.79% | 10.54% | +0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.23% | 14.76% | -0.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.45% | 15.07% | -0.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.54% | 16.94% | -0.40% |
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SHSAX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VHCIX's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
SHSAX vs. VHCIX - Dividend Comparison
SHSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.69%, more than VHCIX's 1.64% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHSAX BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio | 10.69% | 10.63% | 9.18% | 3.84% | 7.44% | 9.20% | 4.34% | 3.89% | 8.56% | 3.53% | 2.43% | 12.58% |
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.64% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, SHSAX and VHCIX 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.
SHSAX has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to VHCIX (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHSAX dropped -35.49% vs VHCIX's -39.12%.
SHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 1.31), 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.
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