VFAIX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. VFAIX is passively managed, while VWELX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFAIX returned 13.53%/yr vs 10.32%/yr for VWELX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFAIX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFAIX achieves a -0.70% return, which is significantly lower than VWELX's 6.10% return. Over the past 10 years, VFAIX has outperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 13.53%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.32% annualized return.

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: -0.70%
• 6M: -2.07%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

VWELX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 6.10%
• 6M: 5.51%
• 1Y: 18.57%
• 3Y*: 15.07%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

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

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.70%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	6.10%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VFAIX and VWELX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between VFAIX and VWELX has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VFAIX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

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.

	VFAIX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	2.17	-1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	3.02	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.40	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	2.86	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	12.89	-11.15

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFAIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFAIX and VWELX, 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

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFAIX drawdown since its inception was -78.64%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFAIX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFAIX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.64%	-36.12%	-42.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.72%	-6.78%	-7.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.31%	-11.98%	-5.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-20.88%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.37%	-25.33%	-19.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-0.95%	-2.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.57%	-3.92%	-14.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.66%	1.50%	+4.16%

Volatility

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) has a higher volatility of 4.21% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 3.57%. This indicates that VFAIX'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.

Volatility by Period

	VFAIX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	3.57%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.38%	7.32%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.96%	8.97%	+5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.29%	11.22%	+8.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.62%	11.57%	+11.05%

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFAIX has a 0.09% 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%.

Dividends

VFAIX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VFAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VWELX's 10.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.90%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFAIX and VWELX in my portfolio?

VFAIX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFAIX or VWELX?

VFAIX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to VWELX (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFAIX dropped -78.64% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.66), 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.