SHSSX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SHSSX (Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - SHSSX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 HealthCare Index, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, SHSSX returned 9.37%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SHSSX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHSSX achieves a -5.37% return, which is significantly lower than VFAIX's -5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, SHSSX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 9.37%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.42% annualized return.

SHSSX

• 1D: -1.67%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: -5.37%
• 6M: -5.86%
• 1Y: 13.01%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 4.00%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	-5.37%	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	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SHSSX and VFAIX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.62

The correlation between SHSSX and VFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SHSSX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHSSX

SHSSX Risk / Return Rank: 13
SHSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
SHSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SHSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SHSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SHSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	0.29	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	0.48	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.06	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.35	0.29	+1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	0.76	+2.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHSSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHSSX and VFAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SHSSX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96	0.29	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.43	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.55	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.23	+0.45

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHSSX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-17.31%	+1.36%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.10%	-7.97%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-18.61%	+12.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.91%	5.51%	-1.60%

Volatility

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	SHSSX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	3.07%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.40%	10.98%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.76%	14.68%	-0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.37%	19.33%	-4.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.54%	22.60%	-6.06%

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHSSX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHSSX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

SHSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.47%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	10.47%	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	1.54%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHSSX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

SHSSX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHSSX or VFAIX?

SHSSX has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHSSX dropped -35.40% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHSSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.29), 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.