VESGX vs. VFTAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VESGX (Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares) and VFTAX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VESGX is a ESG fund managed by Vanguard, while VFTAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VESGX returned 11.32%/yr vs 13.82%/yr for VFTAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VESGX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFTAX.

Performance

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VESGX) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VESGX achieves a 10.83% return, which is significantly lower than VFTAX's 11.67% return.

VESGX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 6.95%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 16.65%
• 3Y*: 17.79%
• 5Y*: 11.32%
• 10Y*: —

VFTAX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 7.31%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 23.26%
• 5Y*: 13.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VESGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares	10.83%	15.26%	16.40%	19.61%	-10.76%	22.34%	19.43%	11.83%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.67%	17.25%	25.97%	31.78%	-24.22%	27.70%	22.63%	14.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VESGX and VFTAX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2019	0.84

The correlation between VESGX and VFTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VESGX	VFTAX
Technology	30.3%	41.4%
Financial Services	20.8%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	12.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	9.4%
Industrials	7.4%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	3.9%
Real Estate	5.2%	2.2%
Basic Materials	3.7%	1.6%
Communication Services	3.2%	13.9%
Utilities	2.0%	0.1%
Energy	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

VESGX vs. VFTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VESGX

VESGX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
VESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VFTAX

VFTAX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VFTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VESGX) and Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX). 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.

	VESGX	VFTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.28	-1.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	3.09	-1.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.41	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	2.55	-1.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.74	10.83	-5.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the VFTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VESGX and VFTAX, 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

	VESGX	VFTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.28	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.76	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.83	+0.02

Drawdowns

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VESGX drawdown since its inception was -30.52%, smaller than the maximum VFTAX drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VESGX and VFTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VESGX	VFTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.52%	-34.20%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-11.84%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.27%	-20.18%	+7.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.70%	-29.12%	+5.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-6.27%	+2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.78%	+0.08%

Volatility

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VESGX) has a higher volatility of 3.50% compared to Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) at 3.26%. This indicates that VESGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VESGX	VFTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	3.26%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.18%	10.14%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.00%	13.27%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.64%	18.37%	-3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	20.78%	-3.46%

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VESGX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VFTAX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

VESGX vs. VFTAX - Dividend Comparison

VESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.95%, more than VFTAX's 0.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VESGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Admiral Shares	3.95%	6.98%	5.05%	1.81%	2.24%	2.74%	1.06%	0.82%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.79%	0.85%	0.99%	1.10%	1.34%	0.94%	1.21%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VESGX and VFTAX in my portfolio?

VESGX and VFTAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VESGX or VFTAX?

VESGX has higher volatility (3.50%) compared to VFTAX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VESGX dropped -30.52% vs VFTAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 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.