SWZ vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWZ (Total Return Securities Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, SWZ returned 12.68%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SWZ charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Total Return Securities Fund (SWZ) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWZ achieves a -4.66% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

SWZ

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: -4.66%
• 6M: -1.98%
• 1Y: -5.72%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: 12.00%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWZ Total Return Securities Fund	-4.66%	86.85%	-2.46%	15.50%	-17.69%	18.20%	14.19%	24.00%	-13.18%	26.16%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between SWZ and VFFSX 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	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.45

Return for Risk

SWZ vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWZ

SWZ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Total Return Securities Fund (SWZ) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	SWZ	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.55	2.52	-3.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.68	3.42	-4.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.46	-0.55
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.70	3.36	-4.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	15.70	-16.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.55, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWZ and VFFSX, 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

	SWZ	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.55	2.52	-3.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.85	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.86	-0.59

Drawdowns

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWZ drawdown since its inception was -69.62%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWZ and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWZ	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.62%	-33.82%	-35.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-8.90%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-18.75%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.36%	-24.51%	-5.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.63%	0.00%	-7.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.97%	-4.50%	-17.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.75%	1.90%	+2.85%

Volatility

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Total Return Securities Fund (SWZ) is 1.70%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that SWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWZ	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.70%	2.83%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	8.98%	-1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	11.86%	-1.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.27%	16.90%	+10.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.84%	18.41%	+4.43%

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWZ has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWZ vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

SWZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWZ Total Return Securities Fund	0.00%	98.81%	7.11%	6.07%	8.23%	5.83%	6.25%	1.67%	74.09%	1.02%	5.00%	6.72%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWZ and VFFSX in my portfolio?

SWZ and VFFSX 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, SWZ or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to SWZ (1.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWZ dropped -69.62% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.55), 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.