VADGX vs. AUEIX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) and AUEIX (AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, VADGX returned 9.69%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for AUEIX. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VADGX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for AUEIX.

Performance

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VADGX achieves a 4.11% return, which is significantly lower than AUEIX's 9.12% return.

VADGX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 0.15%
• 6M: 4.07%
• YTD: 4.11%
• 1Y: 9.04%
• 3Y*: 9.69%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.97%

AUEIX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 2.50%
• 6M: 5.82%
• YTD: 9.12%
• 1Y: 10.33%
• 3Y*: 11.72%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 10.84%
• ALL TIME*: 12.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	4.11%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	9.12%	6.95%	13.85%	9.49%	-13.81%	2.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VADGX and AUEIX is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.89

The correlation between VADGX and AUEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VADGX vs. AUEIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VADGX

VADGX Risk / Return Rank: 24
VADGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VADGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
VADGX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VADGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VADGX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

AUEIX

AUEIX Risk / Return Rank: 44
AUEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
AUEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
AUEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
AUEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AUEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX). 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.

	VADGX	AUEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.42	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	2.05	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.26	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	1.97	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.45	6.52	-3.07

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VADGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is comparable to the AUEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VADGX and AUEIX, 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

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VADGX drawdown since its inception was -15.75%, smaller than the maximum AUEIX drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VADGX and AUEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VADGX	AUEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.75%	-30.82%	+15.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-5.91%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-10.27%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.08%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-3.39%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	1.78%	+1.27%

Volatility

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX) at 1.99%. This indicates that VADGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AUEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VADGX	AUEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	1.99%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	6.28%	+1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.53%	8.20%	+2.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.54%	13.00%	+0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.54%	15.18%	-1.64%

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VADGX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than AUEIX's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

VADGX vs. AUEIX - Dividend Comparison

VADGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than AUEIX's 20.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	20.80%	22.70%	24.31%	24.28%	10.26%	2.54%	1.29%	1.12%	1.67%	2.36%	1.99%	6.18%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.03%	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 VADGX and AUEIX in my portfolio?

VADGX and AUEIX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VADGX or AUEIX?

VADGX has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to AUEIX (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VADGX dropped -15.75% vs AUEIX's -30.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AUEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.00), 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.