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VFIAX vs. VOO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VFIAX vs. VOO

Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Documentation

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds from Vanguard tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 14.93%/yr vs 14.93%/yr for VOO. Their 1.00 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

VFIAX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VFIAX having a 8.95% return and VOO slightly higher at 8.98%. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: VFIAX at 14.93% and VOO at 14.93%.

VFIAX

1D
0.06%
1M
0.85%
6M
7.24%
YTD
8.95%
1Y
17.36%
3Y*
19.05%
5Y*
12.49%
10Y*
14.93%
ALL TIME*
8.80%

VOO

1D
0.03%
1M
1.35%
6M
7.28%
YTD
8.98%
1Y
17.38%
3Y*
18.94%
5Y*
12.57%
10Y*
14.93%
ALL TIME*
14.72%
*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

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
$3.33B$3.89B$5.42B

VFIAX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		8.95%17.83%24.97%26.24%-18.16%28.65%18.32%31.46%-4.45%21.78%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		8.98%17.82%24.98%26.32%-18.17%28.79%18.32%31.37%-4.50%21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VOO is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

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

1.00

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

1.00

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

1.00

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

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010

1.00

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

VFIAX vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VFIAX
VOO

Technology

38.6%
38.6%

Financial Services

11.4%
11.4%

Communication Services

9.9%
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.5%
9.5%

Healthcare

8.9%
8.9%

Industrials

8.5%
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.5%
4.5%

Energy

3.0%
3.0%

Utilities

2.2%
2.2%

Real Estate

1.8%
1.8%

Basic Materials

1.7%
1.7%

Technology

VFIAX
38.6%
VOO
38.6%

Financial Services

VFIAX
11.4%
VOO
11.4%

Communication Services

VFIAX
9.9%
VOO
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VFIAX
9.5%
VOO
9.5%

Healthcare

VFIAX
8.9%
VOO
8.9%

Industrials

VFIAX
8.5%
VOO
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

VFIAX
4.5%
VOO
4.5%

Energy

VFIAX
3.0%
VOO
3.0%

Utilities

VFIAX
2.2%
VOO
2.2%

Real Estate

VFIAX
1.8%
VOO
1.8%

Basic Materials

VFIAX
1.7%
VOO
1.7%

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 S&P 500 ETF

Often compared with VFIAX:
VFIAX vs. VTIVFIAX vs. SPYVFIAX vs. VITAXVFIAX vs. VVIAXVFIAX vs. VFIFXVFIAX vs. VBIAXVFIAX vs. VGT
Often compared with VOO:
VOO vs. VTIVOO vs. QQQVOO vs. SCHDVOO vs. VTVOO vs. FXAIXVOO vs. SPYVOO vs. VGT

Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VFIAX
VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
VOO
VOO Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

VFIAXVOODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.41
1.38

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.98
1.94

+0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.25

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.01

1.96

+0.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.73

8.43

+0.29

VFIAX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and VOO.

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Drawdown Indicators

VFIAXVOODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.20%

-33.99%

-21.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-8.90%

0.00%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.75%

-18.69%

-0.06%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.53%

-24.52%

-0.01%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.83%

-33.99%

+0.16%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.45%

-2.43%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.35%

-3.67%

-5.68%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.05%

2.07%

-0.02%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) is 2.94%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.22%. This indicates that VFIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VFIAXVOODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.94%

3.22%

-0.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.86%

9.84%

+0.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.67%

12.64%

+0.03%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.98%

16.91%

+0.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.06%

18.01%

+0.05%

VFIAX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO'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. VOO - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, which matches VOO's 1.08% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.07%1.12%1.24%1.45%1.68%1.24%1.53%1.87%2.05%1.78%2.02%2.10%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		1.08%1.13%1.24%1.46%1.69%1.25%1.54%1.88%2.06%1.78%2.02%2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 1.00, VFIAX and VOO 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.

VOO has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to VFIAX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs VOO's -33.99%.

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.38), 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 VOO

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