VFTNX vs. GABUX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) and GABUX (Gabelli Utilities Fund) are both mutual funds - VFTNX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the FTSE4Good US Select Index, while GABUX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by Gabelli. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX returned 16.22%/yr vs 6.24%/yr for GABUX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFTNX charges 0.12%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for GABUX.

Performance

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) and Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFTNX achieves a 11.69% return, which is significantly higher than GABUX's 7.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX has outperformed GABUX with an annualized return of 16.22%, while GABUX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.24% annualized return.

VFTNX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 29.37%
• 3Y*: 23.29%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 16.22%

GABUX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: 7.08%
• 6M: 5.88%
• 1Y: 14.88%
• 3Y*: 12.04%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 6.24%

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

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.69%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-3.41%	24.19%
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund	7.08%	16.86%	14.38%	-6.59%	-5.40%	17.44%	-3.45%	18.37%	-2.83%	8.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTNX and GABUX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2000	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between VFTNX and GABUX has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VFTNX vs. GABUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

GABUX

GABUX Risk / Return Rank: 27
GABUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GABUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
GABUX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
GABUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GABUX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) and Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX). 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.

	VFTNX	GABUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.44	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	2.01	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.16	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	7.39	+3.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the GABUX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTNX and GABUX, 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

	VFTNX	GABUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.44	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.42	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.38	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.24	+0.14

Drawdowns

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTNX drawdown since its inception was -64.04%, which is greater than GABUX's maximum drawdown of -48.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTNX and GABUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTNX	GABUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-48.88%	-15.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-7.14%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-16.51%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.11%	-23.98%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	-33.64%	-0.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.77%	+5.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-12.15%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.08%	+0.70%

Volatility

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) is 3.26%, while Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) has a volatility of 3.80%. This indicates that VFTNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFTNX	GABUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	3.80%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	8.44%	+1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	10.70%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	14.70%	+3.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	16.27%	+2.80%

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTNX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than GABUX's 1.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFTNX vs. GABUX - Dividend Comparison

VFTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than GABUX's 18.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund	18.31%	18.27%	22.50%	16.89%	13.44%	11.03%	11.58%	9.31%	9.50%	8.45%	9.49%	9.66%
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.84%	0.90%	1.01%	1.12%	1.37%	0.95%	1.23%	1.46%	1.81%	1.49%	1.82%	1.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFTNX and GABUX in my portfolio?

VFTNX and GABUX have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFTNX or GABUX?

GABUX has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to VFTNX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTNX dropped -64.04% vs GABUX's -48.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.44), 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.