VENAX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VENAX (Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VENAX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VENAX returned 8.45%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for VFIAX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VENAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) 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, VENAX achieves a 21.25% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 10.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VENAX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 8.45%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.54% annualized return.

VENAX

• 1D: -1.61%
• 1M: -9.68%
• YTD: 21.25%
• 6M: 22.53%
• 1Y: 25.20%
• 3Y*: 14.10%
• 5Y*: 19.67%
• 10Y*: 8.45%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 14.06%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	21.25%	7.29%	6.57%	0.05%	62.94%	55.57%	-33.27%	9.36%	-19.90%	-2.39%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.17%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VENAX and VFIAX is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.60

The correlation between VENAX and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VENAX	VFIAX
Energy	99.5%	3.2%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.7%
Industrials	0.1%	7.6%
Communication Services	-	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Financial Services	-	10.9%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.1%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

VENAX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VENAX

VENAX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VENAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VENAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
VENAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VENAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VENAX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) 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.

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.

	VENAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.17	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.93	-1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.39	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	3.03	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.84	13.72	-7.88

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VENAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VENAX 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.

Drawdowns

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VENAX drawdown since its inception was -74.42%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VENAX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VENAX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.42%	-55.20%	-19.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.22%	-8.90%	-5.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-18.75%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.59%	-24.53%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.58%	-33.83%	-35.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.22%	-1.36%	-12.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-9.38%	-10.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.51%	1.96%	+2.55%

Volatility

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) has a higher volatility of 7.03% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 4.77%. This indicates that VENAX'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

	VENAX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.03%	4.77%	+2.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.72%	9.91%	+6.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.81%	12.47%	+8.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.45%	17.00%	+9.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.25%	18.11%	+12.14%

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VENAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VENAX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VENAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than VFIAX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.59%	3.10%	3.24%	3.34%	3.65%	3.80%	4.76%	3.41%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	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 VENAX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VENAX and VFIAX have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VENAX or VFIAX?

VENAX has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to VFIAX (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VENAX dropped -74.42% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.27), 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.