VADGX vs. VZICX

Last updated Jul 2, 2026

VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) and VZICX (Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VADGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VZICX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, VADGX returned 8.60%/yr vs 22.51%/yr for VZICX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VADGX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for VZICX.

Performance

VADGX vs. VZICX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VADGX achieves a 1.86% return, which is significantly lower than VZICX's 14.74% return.

VADGX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 6M: 1.86%
• 1Y: 5.95%
• 3Y*: 8.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VZICX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 14.74%
• 6M: 14.74%
• 1Y: 31.77%
• 3Y*: 22.51%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

VADGX vs. VZICX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.86%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%
VZICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares	14.74%	38.55%	8.74%	14.35%	-10.62%	-1.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VADGX and VZICX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.62

The correlation between VADGX and VZICX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VADGX vs. VZICX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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: 10

VZICX

VZICX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VZICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VZICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VZICX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VZICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VZICX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

VADGX vs. VZICX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX). 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	VZICX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	2.00	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	2.68	-1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	2.94	-2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	11.27	-9.15

VADGX vs. VZICX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VADGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is lower than the VZICX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VADGX and VZICX, 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. VZICX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VADGX drawdown since its inception was -15.75%, smaller than the maximum VZICX drawdown of -34.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VADGX and VZICX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VADGX	VZICX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.75%	-34.37%	+18.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-10.81%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-13.30%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-1.22%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.44%	-5.66%	+2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.81%	+0.26%

Volatility

VADGX vs. VZICX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) is 3.28%, while Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX) has a volatility of 7.27%. This indicates that VADGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VZICX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VADGX	VZICX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	7.27%	-3.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.14%	13.86%	-5.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.32%	15.90%	-5.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.59%	15.54%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.59%	18.02%	-4.43%

VADGX vs. VZICX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VADGX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VZICX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VADGX vs. VZICX - Dividend Comparison

VADGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than VZICX's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.05%	1.04%	1.98%	1.25%	0.84%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%
VZICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares	3.85%	4.41%	2.65%	2.20%	2.10%	4.37%	1.89%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VADGX and VZICX in my portfolio?

VADGX and VZICX have a correlation of 0.59, 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 VZICX?

VZICX has higher volatility (7.27%) compared to VADGX (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VADGX dropped -15.75% vs VZICX's -34.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VZICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 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.