SVAAX vs. VADGX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SVAAX (Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A) and VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - SVAAX is a Dividend fund actively managed by Federated Hermes, while VADGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, SVAAX returned 15.50%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for VADGX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SVAAX charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for VADGX.

Performance

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A (SVAAX) and Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVAAX achieves a 10.31% return, which is significantly higher than VADGX's 0.38% return.

SVAAX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 10.31%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 20.44%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: 10.50%
• 10Y*: 8.06%

VADGX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: -0.67%
• 1Y: 6.81%
• 3Y*: 8.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SVAAX Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A	10.31%	14.42%	16.29%	-2.07%	8.07%	3.53%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	0.38%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%

Correlation

The correlation between SVAAX and VADGX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between SVAAX and VADGX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SVAAX vs. VADGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVAAX

SVAAX Risk / Return Rank: 84
SVAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
SVAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SVAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SVAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SVAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VADGX

VADGX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VADGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VADGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VADGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VADGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VADGX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A (SVAAX) and Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX). 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.

	SVAAX	VADGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	0.63	+1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	0.97	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.11	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.50	0.58	+4.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.49	2.10	+12.39

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVAAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the VADGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVAAX and VADGX, 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

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVAAX drawdown since its inception was -51.16%, which is greater than VADGX's maximum drawdown of -15.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVAAX and VADGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVAAX	VADGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.16%	-15.75%	-35.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.71%	-11.07%	+6.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.84%	-14.73%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.99%	-1.78%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-3.45%	-4.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.70%	3.06%	-1.36%

Volatility

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A (SVAAX) has a higher volatility of 4.11% compared to Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) at 3.23%. This indicates that SVAAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VADGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVAAX	VADGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	3.23%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.83%	8.10%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.72%	10.33%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.69%	13.61%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.40%	13.61%	+1.79%

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVAAX has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VADGX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVAAX vs. VADGX - Dividend Comparison

SVAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.79%, more than VADGX's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SVAAX Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Fund Class A	5.79%	5.80%	7.38%	4.10%	9.49%	3.50%	4.06%	8.55%	8.39%	10.16%	5.00%	8.45%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.58%	1.04%	1.98%	1.25%	0.84%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVAAX and VADGX in my portfolio?

SVAAX and VADGX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVAAX or VADGX?

SVAAX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to VADGX (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVAAX dropped -51.16% vs VADGX's -15.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 0.63), 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.