VEMAX vs. VWELX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX).
VEMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jun 23, 2006. VWELX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jul 1, 1929.
Performance
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares | -2.51% | 24.76% | 11.34% | 8.82% | -17.79% | 0.85% | 15.24% | 20.29% | -14.59% | 31.37% |
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares | -5.26% | 16.54% | 14.73% | 14.29% | -14.36% | 18.99% | 10.57% | 22.51% | -3.43% | 13.98% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEMAX achieves a -2.51% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's -5.26% return. Over the past 10 years, VEMAX has underperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 7.28%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.10% annualized return.
VEMAX
- 1D
- -0.82%
- 1M
- -9.73%
- YTD
- -2.51%
- 6M
- -1.16%
- 1Y
- 19.13%
- 3Y*
- 12.46%
- 5Y*
- 3.36%
- 10Y*
- 7.28%
VWELX
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -5.91%
- YTD
- -5.26%
- 6M
- -2.21%
- 1Y
- 12.29%
- 3Y*
- 11.90%
- 5Y*
- 7.34%
- 10Y*
- 9.10%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEMAX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than VWELX's 0.24% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
VEMAX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank
VEMAX
VWELX
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). 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.
| VEMAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.23 | 1.10 | +0.14 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.70 | 1.61 | +0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.24 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 1.45 | +0.09 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.69 | 6.63 | -0.94 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VEMAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.23 | 1.10 | +0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 | 0.67 | -0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 | 0.80 | -0.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.26 | 0.82 | -0.56 |
Correlation
The correlation between VEMAX and VWELX is 0.72, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison
VEMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than VWELX's 12.16% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares | 2.73% | 2.74% | 3.13% | 3.47% | 4.05% | 2.57% | 1.87% | 3.20% | 2.85% | 2.31% | 2.51% | 3.25% |
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares | 12.16% | 11.46% | 10.76% | 6.01% | 8.19% | 8.64% | 7.77% | 4.67% | 9.49% | 5.82% | 4.44% | 7.03% |
Drawdowns
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEMAX drawdown since its inception was -66.45%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMAX and VWELX.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| VEMAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.45% | -36.12% | -30.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.08% | -8.03% | -3.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.60% | -20.88% | -11.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.11% | -25.33% | -10.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.05% | -6.78% | -4.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.25% | -3.93% | -12.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.99% | 1.75% | +1.24% |
Volatility
VEMAX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.36% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 3.37%. This indicates that VEMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| VEMAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.36% | 3.37% | +2.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.70% | 6.36% | +4.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.26% | 11.74% | +3.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.18% | 11.08% | +4.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.37% | 11.48% | +4.89% |