VGHAX vs. SHSSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGHAX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares) and SHSSX (Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VGHAX returned 8.70%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for SHSSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGHAX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SHSSX.

Performance

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGHAX achieves a -4.65% return, which is significantly higher than SHSSX's -5.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHAX has underperformed SHSSX with an annualized return of 8.70%, while SHSSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.37% annualized return.

VGHAX

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: -1.39%
• YTD: -4.65%
• 6M: -4.26%
• 1Y: 16.26%
• 3Y*: 8.39%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

SHSSX

• 1D: -1.67%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: -5.37%
• 6M: -5.86%
• 1Y: 13.01%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 4.00%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	-4.65%	19.72%	9.10%	5.51%	-1.00%	12.82%	12.62%	22.99%	1.07%	19.64%
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	-5.37%	16.13%	4.00%	3.86%	-5.72%	12.17%	19.54%	25.63%	8.24%	25.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VGHAX and SHSSX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.92

The correlation between VGHAX and SHSSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGHAX vs. SHSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGHAX

VGHAX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VGHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VGHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VGHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VGHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

SHSSX

SHSSX Risk / Return Rank: 13
SHSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
SHSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SHSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SHSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SHSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). 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.

	VGHAX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	0.96	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	1.49	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.17	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.35	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.63	3.38	+1.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGHAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is comparable to the SHSSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGHAX and SHSSX, 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

	VGHAX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	0.96	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.28	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.57	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.69	-0.09

Drawdowns

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHAX drawdown since its inception was -36.85%, roughly equal to the maximum SHSSX drawdown of -35.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHAX and SHSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGHAX	SHSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.85%	-35.40%	-1.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-9.83%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.05%	-15.95%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.92%	-17.90%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.17%	-28.34%	+1.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.60%	-8.10%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.61%	-5.98%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	3.91%	-0.47%

Volatility

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) is 3.78%, while Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that VGHAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SHSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGHAX	SHSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.78%	4.16%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	10.40%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.74%	13.76%	+0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.12%	14.37%	+3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	16.54%	+1.04%

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHAX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SHSSX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGHAX vs. SHSSX - Dividend Comparison

VGHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.00%, less than SHSSX's 10.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	10.47%	9.90%	8.68%	3.82%	7.20%	8.96%	4.18%	3.87%	8.44%	3.59%	2.33%	12.29%
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	7.00%	6.07%	22.84%	7.22%	5.49%	7.05%	8.02%	11.87%	9.15%	7.36%	8.60%	8.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGHAX and SHSSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VGHAX and SHSSX 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, VGHAX or SHSSX?

SHSSX has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VGHAX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHAX dropped -36.85% vs SHSSX's -35.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.96), 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.