VALSX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VALSX (Value Line Select Growth Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VALSX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Value Line, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VALSX returned 11.09%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VALSX charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Value Line Select Growth Fund (VALSX) 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, VALSX achieves a -5.28% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VALSX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 11.09%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.

VALSX

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: -5.28%
• 6M: -5.75%
• 1Y: -13.20%
• 3Y*: 6.80%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VALSX Value Line Select Growth Fund	-5.28%	-1.86%	11.90%	31.29%	-20.74%	23.76%	23.07%	36.62%	1.25%	22.34%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VALSX and VFIAX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between VALSX and VFIAX has dropped to 0.58 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VALSX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALSX

VALSX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VALSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
VALSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
VALSX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VALSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VALSX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Value Line Select Growth Fund (VALSX) 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.

	VALSX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.09	2.55	-3.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.46	3.46	-4.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.46	-0.63
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.67	3.38	-4.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.24	15.82	-17.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VALSX Sharpe Ratio is -1.09, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VALSX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VALSX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.09	2.55	-3.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.84	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.87	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.47	0.00

Drawdowns

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALSX drawdown since its inception was -55.08%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALSX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALSX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.08%	-55.20%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.75%	-8.90%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-18.75%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.22%	-24.53%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.00%	-33.83%	-0.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.83%	0.00%	-14.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.62%	-9.40%	-4.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.15%	1.90%	+8.25%

Volatility

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Value Line Select Growth Fund (VALSX) has a higher volatility of 3.58% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that VALSX'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

	VALSX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	2.82%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.88%	8.99%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	11.88%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	16.90%	+0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	18.07%	+0.21%

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VALSX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VALSX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VALSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.07%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VALSX Value Line Select Growth Fund	9.07%	8.59%	11.16%	9.98%	12.14%	14.47%	27.15%	6.81%	10.12%	7.12%	6.84%	17.21%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	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 VALSX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VALSX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VALSX or VFIAX?

VALSX has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VALSX dropped -55.08% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs -1.09), 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.