VGHAX vs. VHT
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT).
VGHAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001. VHT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004.
Performance
VGHAX vs. VHT - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
VGHAX vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares | -5.89% | 19.72% | 9.10% | 5.51% | -1.00% | 12.82% | 12.62% | 22.99% | 1.07% | 19.64% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | -5.04% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHAX achieves a -5.89% return, which is significantly lower than VHT's -5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHAX has underperformed VHT with an annualized return of 9.16%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively higher 9.72% annualized return.
VGHAX
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- -8.80%
- YTD
- -5.89%
- 6M
- 7.16%
- 1Y
- 9.80%
- 3Y*
- 9.27%
- 5Y*
- 8.05%
- 10Y*
- 9.16%
VHT
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -7.50%
- YTD
- -5.04%
- 6M
- 5.91%
- 1Y
- 4.70%
- 3Y*
- 6.16%
- 5Y*
- 5.09%
- 10Y*
- 9.72%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
VGHAX vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHAX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
VGHAX vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank
VGHAX
VHT
VGHAX vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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 | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.53 | 0.27 | +0.26 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.84 | 0.49 | +0.35 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.06 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.15 | 0.51 | +0.64 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.82 | 1.09 | +1.73 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGHAX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.53 | 0.27 | +0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 | 0.34 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.58 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.60 | 0.56 | +0.04 |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHAX and VHT is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VGHAX vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison
VGHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.09%, more than VHT's 1.73% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares | 7.09% | 6.07% | 22.84% | 7.22% | 5.49% | 7.05% | 8.02% | 11.87% | 9.15% | 7.36% | 8.60% | 8.21% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.73% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Drawdowns
VGHAX vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHAX drawdown since its inception was -36.85%, smaller than the maximum VHT drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHAX and VHT.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| VGHAX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.85% | -39.12% | +2.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.19% | -10.40% | +1.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.92% | -17.71% | +0.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.17% | -28.85% | +1.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.80% | -8.05% | -0.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.61% | -5.98% | +0.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.90% | 4.96% | -1.06% |
Volatility
VGHAX vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) is 4.81%, while Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) has a volatility of 5.10%. This indicates that VGHAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| VGHAX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.81% | 5.10% | -0.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.26% | 10.28% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.43% | 17.61% | -0.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.96% | 14.85% | +3.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.56% | 16.94% | +0.62% |