VFIAX vs. VLCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VLCAX (Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VLCAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 15.63%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for VLCAX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VLCAX.

Performance

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFIAX having a 11.69% return and VLCAX slightly lower at 11.49%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFIAX having a 15.63% annualized return and VLCAX not far ahead at 15.65%.

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

VLCAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 11.49%
• 6M: 11.39%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 22.96%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.49%	18.09%	25.10%	27.26%	-19.69%	27.02%	21.03%	31.39%	-4.49%	22.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VLCAX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	1.00

The correlation between VFIAX and VLCAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFIAX	VLCAX
Technology	35.7%	35.9%
Financial Services	11.6%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.3%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	9.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.6%
Industrials	8.3%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	2.4%	2.7%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.7%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.6%

Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. VLCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VLCAX

VLCAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VLCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VLCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VLCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VLCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VLCAX 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.

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX). 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.

	VFIAX	VLCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.48	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	3.37	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.45	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	3.22	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	14.78	+0.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the VLCAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and VLCAX, 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

	VFIAX	VLCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.48	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.81	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.86	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.58	-0.12

Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, roughly equal to the maximum VLCAX drawdown of -54.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and VLCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIAX	VLCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-54.76%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-9.19%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-19.01%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-25.65%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-33.97%	+0.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.40%	-6.86%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	2.00%	-0.10%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) have volatilities of 2.82% and 2.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIAX	VLCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.80%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	9.01%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.86%	11.92%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	17.16%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	18.20%	-0.13%

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VLCAX's 0.05% 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

VFIAX vs. VLCAX - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than VLCAX's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.96%	1.08%	1.23%	1.40%	1.66%	1.18%	1.45%	1.80%	2.08%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIAX and VLCAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VFIAX and VLCAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VFIAX or VLCAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VLCAX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs VLCAX's -54.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.48), 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.