PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VFIAX vs. VGELX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VFIAX vs. VGELX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Documentation

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VGELX (Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VGELX is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. VFIAX is passively managed, while VGELX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 15.14%/yr vs 9.40%/yr for VGELX. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for VGELX.

Performance

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIAX achieves a 11.74% return, which is significantly lower than VGELX's 22.57% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX has outperformed VGELX with an annualized return of 15.14%, while VGELX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.40% annualized return.

VFIAX

1D
1.49%
1M
1.63%
6M
10.48%
YTD
11.74%
1Y
21.46%
3Y*
20.84%
5Y*
13.10%
10Y*
15.14%
ALL TIME*
8.90%

VGELX

1D
-0.76%
1M
5.30%
6M
12.05%
YTD
22.57%
1Y
31.92%
3Y*
26.49%
5Y*
23.72%
10Y*
9.40%
ALL TIME*
9.04%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

VFIAX

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VGELX

Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		11.74%17.83%24.97%26.24%-18.16%28.65%18.32%31.46%-4.45%21.78%
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares		22.57%20.76%30.46%8.87%23.70%27.80%-30.80%13.32%-17.12%3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VGELX is -0.02, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

-0.02

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.22

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.39

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.51

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001

0.63

The correlation between VFIAX and VGELX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VFIAX
VGELX

Technology

38.6%

-

Financial Services

11.4%
0.0%

Communication Services

9.9%

-

Consumer Cyclical

9.5%

-

Healthcare

8.9%

-

Industrials

8.5%

-

Consumer Defensive

4.5%

-

Energy

3.0%
57.0%

Utilities

2.2%
41.9%

Real Estate

1.8%
0.0%

Basic Materials

1.7%
1.1%

Technology

VFIAX
38.6%
VGELX

-

Financial Services

VFIAX
11.4%
VGELX
0.0%

Communication Services

VFIAX
9.9%
VGELX

-

Consumer Cyclical

VFIAX
9.5%
VGELX

-

Healthcare

VFIAX
8.9%
VGELX

-

Industrials

VFIAX
8.5%
VGELX

-

Consumer Defensive

VFIAX
4.5%
VGELX

-

Energy

VFIAX
3.0%
VGELX
57.0%

Utilities

VFIAX
2.2%
VGELX
41.9%

Real Estate

VFIAX
1.8%
VGELX
0.0%

Basic Materials

VFIAX
1.7%
VGELX
1.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VFIAX:
VFIAX vs. VOOVFIAX vs. VTIVFIAX vs. SPYVFIAX vs. VITAXVFIAX vs. VVIAXVFIAX vs. VFIFXVFIAX vs. VBIAX
Often compared with VGELX:
VGELX vs. VGENXVGELX vs. VDEVGELX vs. VDEQXVGELX vs. BTEKVGELX vs. XLEVGELX vs. FDVVVGELX vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. VGELX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VFIAX
VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
VGELX
VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9191
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). 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.

VFIAXVGELXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.82
2.51

-0.69

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.51
3.39

-0.89

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.43

-0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

3.73

-1.10

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.27

12.39

-1.12

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the VGELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and VGELX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, smaller than the maximum VGELX drawdown of -65.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and VGELX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VFIAXVGELXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.20%

-65.22%

+10.02%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-8.75%

-0.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.75%

-12.30%

-6.45%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.53%

-19.72%

-4.81%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.83%

-61.13%

+27.30%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-2.26%

+2.26%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.35%

-19.04%

+9.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.07%

2.63%

-0.56%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) is 3.81%, while Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that VFIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VFIAXVGELXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.81%

4.45%

-0.64%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.20%

10.82%

-0.62%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.86%

13.00%

-0.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.03%

18.67%

-1.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.08%

23.06%

-4.98%

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VGELX's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFIAX vs. VGELX - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than VGELX's 7.05% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.05%1.12%1.24%1.45%1.68%1.24%1.53%1.87%2.05%1.78%2.02%2.10%
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Admiral Shares		7.05%4.79%34.15%6.91%4.71%3.70%4.54%3.38%3.07%3.05%1.91%2.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

VFIAX and VGELX have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VGELX has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to VFIAX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs VGELX's -65.22%.

VGELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.82), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VFIAX and VGELX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer