VEIPX vs. VHYAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VEIPX (Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares) and VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds from Vanguard. VEIPX is actively managed, while VHYAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEIPX returned 11.72%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for VHYAX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEIPX charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VHYAX.

Performance

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEIPX achieves a 8.31% return, which is significantly lower than VHYAX's 11.58% return.

VEIPX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 7.87%
• 1Y: 21.38%
• 3Y*: 15.95%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: 11.72%

VHYAX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 11.58%
• 6M: 10.99%
• 1Y: 25.03%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	8.31%	17.14%	14.80%	7.66%	-0.16%	25.41%	2.97%	16.95%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.58%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VEIPX and VHYAX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.99

The correlation between VEIPX and VHYAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEIPX	VHYAX
Financial Services	20.3%	19.9%
Healthcare	15.2%	12.2%
Technology	14.4%	20.3%
Industrials	10.5%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.6%	8.0%
Energy	8.5%	9.1%
Utilities	7.2%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	6.6%
Communication Services	3.0%	3.4%
Basic Materials	2.8%	3.4%
Real Estate	2.6%	0.0%

Return for Risk

VEIPX vs. VHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEIPX

VEIPX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VEIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VEIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VEIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VEIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). 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.

	VEIPX	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.42	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	3.45	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.44	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.76	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.23	14.10	-2.87

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEIPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the VHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEIPX and VHYAX, 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

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEIPX drawdown since its inception was -54.12%, which is greater than VHYAX's maximum drawdown of -35.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEIPX and VHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEIPX	VHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.12%	-35.14%	-18.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.15%	-6.75%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.39%	-14.42%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.16%	-15.87%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	-1.19%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.50%	-3.76%	-1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.79%	+0.13%

Volatility

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) is 2.84%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) has a volatility of 3.09%. This indicates that VEIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEIPX	VHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	3.09%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.59%	7.73%	-0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.37%	10.46%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	13.99%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.31%	17.93%	-1.62%

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEIPX has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VHYAX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEIPX vs. VHYAX - Dividend Comparison

VEIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.15%, more than VHYAX's 2.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	10.15%	10.94%	9.74%	7.87%	8.69%	7.62%	2.77%	4.36%	10.87%	2.98%	3.78%	6.39%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.27%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEIPX and VHYAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VEIPX and VHYAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEIPX or VHYAX?

VHYAX has higher volatility (3.09%) compared to VEIPX (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEIPX dropped -54.12% vs VHYAX's -35.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.08), 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.