THW vs. VGHCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

THW (abrdn World Healthcare Fund) and VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, THW returned 9.09%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for VGHCX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THW charges 1.54%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VGHCX.

Performance

THW vs. VGHCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THW achieves a 0.57% return, which is significantly higher than VGHCX's -4.67% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with THW having a 9.09% annualized return and VGHCX not far behind at 8.79%.

THW

• 1D: -2.15%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 31.64%
• 3Y*: 6.83%
• 5Y*: 5.44%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

VGHCX

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: -1.40%
• YTD: -4.67%
• 6M: -4.29%
• 1Y: 16.18%
• 3Y*: 8.30%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 8.79%

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

THW vs. VGHCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	0.57%	31.10%	5.35%	-11.52%	-1.21%	12.03%	26.40%	32.98%	-5.40%	16.95%
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	-4.67%	19.63%	8.99%	5.46%	-1.05%	14.36%	12.57%	22.93%	1.03%	19.59%

Correlation

The correlation between THW and VGHCX is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2015	0.62

The correlation between THW and VGHCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

THW vs. VGHCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

THW

THW Risk / Return Rank: 38
THW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
THW Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
THW Omega Ratio Rank: 28
THW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
THW Martin Ratio Rank: 48

VGHCX

VGHCX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VGHCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VGHCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VGHCX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGHCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VGHCX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

THW vs. VGHCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). 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.

	THW	VGHCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.08	+0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	1.67	+0.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.19	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	1.73	+1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.92	4.60	+5.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THW vs. VGHCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THW Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the VGHCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THW and VGHCX, 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

	THW	VGHCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	1.08	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.40	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.50	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.92	-0.65

Drawdowns

THW vs. VGHCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THW drawdown since its inception was -37.36%, roughly equal to the maximum VGHCX drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THW and VGHCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	THW	VGHCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.36%	-36.93%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-9.20%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.48%	-16.08%	-12.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.53%	-16.95%	-14.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	-27.18%	-10.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.88%	-7.61%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.71%	-5.25%	-4.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	3.44%	-0.24%

Volatility

THW vs. VGHCX - Volatility Comparison

abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) has a higher volatility of 5.05% compared to Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) at 3.79%. This indicates that THW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGHCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	THW	VGHCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	3.79%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	10.35%	+2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.02%	14.75%	+5.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.65%	18.21%	+0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.20%	17.64%	+3.56%

THW vs. VGHCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

THW has a 1.54% expense ratio, which is higher than VGHCX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

THW vs. VGHCX - Dividend Comparison

THW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.41%, more than VGHCX's 6.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	11.41%	10.96%	12.72%	12.00%	9.56%	8.60%	8.85%	10.11%	12.08%	10.29%	10.91%	3.69%
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	6.93%	6.00%	22.72%	7.17%	5.44%	8.31%	7.96%	11.82%	9.10%	7.30%	8.54%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THW and VGHCX in my portfolio?

THW and VGHCX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THW or VGHCX?

THW has higher volatility (5.05%) compared to VGHCX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THW dropped -37.36% vs VGHCX's -36.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

THW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.08), 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.