VFIAX vs. VO

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 15.33%/yr vs 11.49%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

VFIAX vs. VO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VFIAX having a 8.74% return and VO slightly higher at 9.06%. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX has outperformed VO with an annualized return of 15.33%, while VO has yielded a comparatively lower 11.49% annualized return.

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 8.74%
• 6M: 8.88%
• 1Y: 24.76%
• 3Y*: 21.46%
• 5Y*: 13.48%
• 10Y*: 15.33%

VO

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 9.08%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 3Y*: 15.95%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

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

VFIAX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	8.74%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	9.06%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VO 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	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.92

The correlation between VFIAX and VO shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFIAX vs. VO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFIAX	VO
Technology	35.7%	18.6%
Financial Services	11.6%	12.8%
Communication Services	11.3%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	8.6%
Healthcare	8.5%	7.6%
Industrials	8.3%	17.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	8.5%
Utilities	2.4%	8.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	5.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.2%

Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 46
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.37	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	1.97	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.24	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.10	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.01	7.96	+5.05
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. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and VO, 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	VO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	1.37	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.43	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.61	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.50	-0.04

Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIAX	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-58.87%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.17%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-19.02%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-27.57%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-39.37%	+5.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-1.68%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.39%	-7.86%	-1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.15%	-0.23%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 3.50%. This indicates that VFIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIAX	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	3.50%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.41%	9.47%	-0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	12.49%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	17.62%	-0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	18.95%	-0.86%

VFIAX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% 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

VFIAX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VO's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.04%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.37%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIAX and VO in my portfolio?

VFIAX and VO 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, VFIAX or VO?

VFIAX has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to VO (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.37), 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.