VFTNX vs. VDIGX

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VFTNX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US Choice Index, while VDIGX is a Dividend fund actively managed by Vanguard. VFTNX is passively managed, while VDIGX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX returned 15.83%/yr vs 12.36%/yr for VDIGX. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VFTNX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VDIGX.

Performance

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFTNX achieves a 13.15% return, which is significantly higher than VDIGX's 7.15% return. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX has outperformed VDIGX with an annualized return of 15.83%, while VDIGX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.36% annualized return.

VFTNX

• 1D: 1.80%
• 1M: 2.79%
• 6M: 14.59%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 1Y: 23.72%
• 3Y*: 21.98%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: 15.83%
• ALL TIME*: 7.96%

VDIGX

• 1D: 1.43%
• 1M: 1.62%
• 6M: 5.19%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 1Y: 13.20%
• 3Y*: 14.83%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 12.36%
• ALL TIME*: 9.41%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	13.15%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-3.41%	24.19%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	7.15%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTNX and VDIGX is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2000	0.81

The correlation between VFTNX and VDIGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (3 years) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFTNX	VDIGX
Technology	44.7%	25.6%
Communication Services	12.4%	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	10.7%
Financial Services	11.2%	20.1%
Healthcare	9.7%	16.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	7.9%
Industrials	3.2%	12.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	2.6%
Utilities	0.1%	0.5%
Energy	0.0%	1.1%

Return for Risk

VFTNX vs. VDIGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VFTNX	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.26	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.89	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.22	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	1.42	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.73	5.61	+2.12

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the VDIGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTNX and VDIGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTNX drawdown since its inception was -64.04%, which is greater than VDIGX's maximum drawdown of -45.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTNX and VDIGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTNX	VDIGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-45.23%	-18.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-9.09%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-10.23%	-9.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.11%	-16.18%	-12.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	-32.98%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.61%	-6.62%	-8.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.29%	+0.70%

Volatility

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) has a higher volatility of 4.73% compared to Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) at 2.99%. This indicates that VFTNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDIGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFTNX	VDIGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	2.99%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.85%	7.98%	+3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	10.28%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.58%	13.87%	+4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.10%	15.68%	+3.42%

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTNX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VDIGX's 0.20% 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

VFTNX vs. VDIGX - Dividend Comparison

VFTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than VDIGX's 22.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	22.91%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.86%	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 VDIGX in my portfolio?

VFTNX and VDIGX have a correlation of 0.66, 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 VDIGX?

VFTNX has higher volatility (4.73%) compared to VDIGX (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTNX dropped -64.04% vs VDIGX's -45.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.26), 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.