VFINX vs. WAEMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) and WAEMX (Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund) are both mutual funds - VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while WAEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Wasatch. Over the past 10 years, VFINX returned 15.43%/yr vs 8.47%/yr for WAEMX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFINX charges 0.14%/yr vs 1.91%/yr for WAEMX.

Performance

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFINX achieves a 10.82% return, which is significantly lower than WAEMX's 24.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VFINX has outperformed WAEMX with an annualized return of 15.43%, while WAEMX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.47% annualized return.

VFINX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.72%
• 1Y: 27.86%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 13.76%
• 10Y*: 15.43%

WAEMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.40%
• YTD: 24.12%
• 6M: 28.62%
• 1Y: 34.27%
• 3Y*: 12.28%
• 5Y*: 2.04%
• 10Y*: 8.47%

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

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	10.82%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	24.12%	5.85%	-2.21%	21.20%	-38.76%	30.16%	32.79%	27.45%	-18.97%	38.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VFINX and WAEMX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2007	0.59

The correlation between VFINX and WAEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFINX vs. WAEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

WAEMX

WAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 61
WAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
WAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
WAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
WAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
WAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX). 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.

	VFINX	WAEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.03	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.98	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.36	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	4.49	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.66	13.87	+0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the WAEMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFINX and WAEMX, 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

	VFINX	WAEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.03	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.12	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.47	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.30	+0.31

Drawdowns

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFINX drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, smaller than the maximum WAEMX drawdown of -66.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFINX and WAEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFINX	WAEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-66.35%	+11.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-7.89%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-25.56%	+6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.59%	-44.88%	+20.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-44.88%	+11.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-8.18%	+7.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-16.81%	+8.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	2.55%	-0.64%

Volatility

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) is 2.93%, while Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that VFINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WAEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFINX	WAEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	5.64%	-2.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	14.59%	-5.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	17.48%	-5.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	17.73%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	18.19%	-0.12%

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFINX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than WAEMX's 1.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFINX vs. WAEMX - Dividend Comparison

VFINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than WAEMX's 56.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.93%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	56.72%	70.40%	6.49%	0.00%	3.32%	6.03%	7.15%	5.82%	12.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFINX and WAEMX in my portfolio?

VFINX and WAEMX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFINX or WAEMX?

WAEMX has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to VFINX (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFINX dropped -55.25% vs WAEMX's -66.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.03), 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.