VFTNX vs. VWUAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VWUAX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFTNX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US Choice Index, while VWUAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. VFTNX is passively managed, while VWUAX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX returned 16.41%/yr vs 16.18%/yr for VWUAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFTNX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VWUAX.

Performance

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - 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 U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFTNX achieves a 9.06% return, which is significantly higher than VWUAX's -0.28% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFTNX having a 16.41% annualized return and VWUAX not far behind at 16.18%.

VFTNX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 8.05%
• 1Y: 25.14%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 16.41%

VWUAX

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 6M: -1.58%
• 1Y: 10.68%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 4.46%
• 10Y*: 16.18%

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

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	9.06%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-3.41%	24.19%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	-0.28%	15.49%	31.79%	45.32%	-39.58%	2.43%	58.80%	48.42%	0.77%	31.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTNX and VWUAX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2001	0.91

The correlation between VFTNX and VWUAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFTNX	VWUAX
Technology	45.2%	45.1%
Communication Services	13.1%	16.2%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	12.4%
Financial Services	10.6%	5.5%
Healthcare	9.1%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	1.2%
Industrials	3.0%	5.6%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.3%
Basic Materials	1.5%	0.4%
Utilities	0.1%	0.5%
Energy	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

VFTNX vs. VWUAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VWUAX

VWUAX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VWUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VWUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VWUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VWUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VWUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. VWUAX - 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 U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). 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	VWUAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	0.69	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	1.03	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.13	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	0.63	+1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	1.85	+7.43

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the VWUAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTNX and VWUAX, 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. VWUAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTNX drawdown since its inception was -64.04%, which is greater than VWUAX's maximum drawdown of -50.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTNX and VWUAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTNX	VWUAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-50.37%	-13.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-19.12%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-25.01%	+4.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.11%	-50.17%	+21.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	-50.17%	+15.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-5.58%	+3.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.67%	-12.81%	-2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	6.51%	-3.65%

Volatility

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) is 5.49%, while Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that VFTNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWUAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFTNX	VWUAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	6.71%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	13.68%	-2.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.08%	17.56%	-3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.49%	25.04%	-6.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.13%	23.78%	-4.65%

VFTNX vs. VWUAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTNX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VWUAX's 0.25% 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. VWUAX - Dividend Comparison

VFTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than VWUAX's 9.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.89%	0.90%	1.01%	1.12%	1.37%	0.95%	1.23%	1.46%	1.81%	1.49%	1.82%	1.60%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	9.53%	9.50%	4.70%	0.37%	0.49%	3.60%	4.00%	13.28%	9.80%	4.63%	1.67%	9.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFTNX and VWUAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VFTNX and VWUAX 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.

Which is riskier, VFTNX or VWUAX?

VWUAX has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to VFTNX (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTNX dropped -64.04% vs VWUAX's -50.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.69), 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.