SHSSX vs. VFAIX
Compare and contrast key facts about Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX).
SHSSX is a passively managed fund by BlackRock that tracks the performance of the Russell 3000 HealthCare Index. It was launched on Oct 16, 2000. VFAIX is managed by BlackRock. It was launched on Feb 4, 2004.
Performance
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional | -6.87% | 16.13% | 4.00% | 3.86% | -5.72% | 12.17% | 19.54% | 25.63% | 8.24% | 25.02% |
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares | -11.11% | 14.90% | 30.46% | 14.07% | -12.26% | 36.27% | -2.15% | 31.63% | -13.47% | 20.05% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SHSSX achieves a -6.87% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -11.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SHSSX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 9.97%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.12% annualized return.
SHSSX
- 1D
- 0.31%
- 1M
- -9.09%
- YTD
- -6.87%
- 6M
- 4.09%
- 1Y
- 4.34%
- 3Y*
- 6.17%
- 5Y*
- 4.28%
- 10Y*
- 9.97%
VFAIX
- 1D
- 1.06%
- 1M
- -5.57%
- YTD
- -11.11%
- 6M
- -9.20%
- 1Y
- 0.51%
- 3Y*
- 17.09%
- 5Y*
- 9.31%
- 10Y*
- 12.12%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SHSSX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
SHSSX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank
SHSSX
VFAIX
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.
| SHSSX | VFAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.29 | 0.08 | +0.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.52 | 0.25 | +0.27 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.04 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.43 | -0.02 | +0.46 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.02 | -0.07 | +1.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SHSSX | VFAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 | 0.08 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 | 0.48 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 | 0.54 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.22 | +0.46 |
Correlation
The correlation between SHSSX and VFAIX is 0.62, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison
SHSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.63%, more than VFAIX's 1.64% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional | 10.63% | 9.90% | 8.68% | 3.82% | 7.20% | 8.96% | 4.18% | 3.87% | 8.44% | 3.59% | 2.33% | 12.29% |
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.64% | 1.56% | 1.75% | 2.08% | 2.31% | 2.62% | 2.21% | 2.17% | 2.30% | 1.54% | 1.64% | 2.00% |
Drawdowns
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SHSSX drawdown since its inception was -35.40%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHSSX and VFAIX.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| SHSSX | VFAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.40% | -78.64% | +43.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.83% | -14.72% | +4.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.90% | -25.71% | +7.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.34% | -44.37% | +16.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.56% | -13.82% | +4.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.98% | -18.69% | +12.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.17% | 4.86% | -0.69% |
Volatility
SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison
Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) has a higher volatility of 4.61% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 4.20%. This indicates that SHSSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| SHSSX | VFAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.61% | 4.20% | +0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.73% | 11.53% | -1.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.32% | 19.86% | -3.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.19% | 19.40% | -5.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.53% | 22.62% | -6.09% |