TBCIX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TBCIX (T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - TBCIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TBCIX is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TBCIX returned 17.77%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TBCIX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class (TBCIX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBCIX achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 10.17% return. Over the past 10 years, TBCIX has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 17.77%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.54% annualized return.

TBCIX

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: -1.68%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 1.60%
• 1Y: 18.56%
• 3Y*: 26.56%
• 5Y*: 12.32%
• 10Y*: 17.77%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 14.06%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TBCIX T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class	1.88%	18.94%	48.73%	49.61%	-38.48%	18.30%	34.90%	30.30%	2.13%	36.68%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.17%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between TBCIX and VFIAX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.89

The correlation between TBCIX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TBCIX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBCIX

TBCIX Risk / Return Rank: 15
TBCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
TBCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
TBCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
TBCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
TBCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class (TBCIX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	TBCIX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.10	2.17	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.93	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.39	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.07	3.03	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.53	13.72	-10.19

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBCIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.10, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBCIX and VFIAX, 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

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBCIX drawdown since its inception was -43.26%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBCIX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBCIX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.26%	-55.20%	+11.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.96%	-8.90%	-8.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.06%	-18.75%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.26%	-24.53%	-18.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.26%	-33.83%	-9.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.13%	-1.36%	-2.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.05%	-9.38%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	1.96%	+3.16%

Volatility

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class (TBCIX) has a higher volatility of 6.44% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 4.77%. This indicates that TBCIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBCIX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.44%	4.77%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.28%	9.91%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.54%	12.47%	+4.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.02%	17.00%	+7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.82%	18.11%	+4.71%

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBCIX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBCIX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

TBCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.11%, more than VFIAX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TBCIX T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund I Class	5.11%	5.20%	18.28%	3.47%	5.84%	10.03%	1.18%	0.59%	2.50%	3.05%	0.81%	0.00%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBCIX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

TBCIX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBCIX or VFIAX?

TBCIX has higher volatility (6.44%) compared to VFIAX (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBCIX dropped -43.26% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.10), 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.