VGHAX vs. XHS
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS).
VGHAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001. XHS is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Health Care Services Select Industry Index. It was launched on Sep 28, 2011.
Performance
VGHAX vs. XHS - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
VGHAX vs. XHS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares | -3.02% | 19.72% | 9.10% | 5.51% | -1.00% | 12.82% | 12.62% | 22.99% | 1.07% | 19.64% |
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF | -5.88% | 18.83% | 1.76% | 5.15% | -19.87% | 9.76% | 33.66% | 18.81% | 1.96% | 17.65% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHAX achieves a -3.02% return, which is significantly higher than XHS's -5.88% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHAX has outperformed XHS with an annualized return of 9.49%, while XHS has yielded a comparatively lower 6.57% annualized return.
VGHAX
- 1D
- 3.05%
- 1M
- -4.71%
- YTD
- -3.02%
- 6M
- 6.85%
- 1Y
- 14.74%
- 3Y*
- 10.37%
- 5Y*
- 8.69%
- 10Y*
- 9.49%
XHS
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- -7.76%
- YTD
- -5.88%
- 6M
- -0.55%
- 1Y
- 3.13%
- 3Y*
- 5.47%
- 5Y*
- -0.99%
- 10Y*
- 6.57%
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. XHS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHAX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than XHS's 0.35% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VGHAX vs. XHS — Risk / Return Rank
VGHAX
XHS
VGHAX vs. XHS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) and SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS). 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 | XHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.75 | 0.16 | +0.59 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.13 | 0.36 | +0.77 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.04 | +0.10 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.36 | 0.22 | +1.15 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.42 | 0.60 | +2.81 |
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 | XHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 | 0.16 | +0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | -0.05 | +0.53 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | 0.29 | +0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.60 | 0.53 | +0.08 |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHAX and XHS is 0.71, 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. XHS - Dividend Comparison
VGHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than XHS's 0.29% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares | 6.88% | 6.07% | 22.84% | 7.22% | 5.49% | 7.05% | 8.02% | 11.87% | 9.15% | 7.36% | 8.60% | 8.21% |
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF | 0.29% | 0.27% | 0.38% | 0.23% | 0.19% | 0.20% | 0.23% | 2.37% | 0.34% | 0.22% | 0.28% | 0.93% |
Drawdowns
VGHAX vs. XHS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHAX drawdown since its inception was -36.85%, smaller than the maximum XHS drawdown of -39.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHAX and XHS.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| VGHAX | XHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.85% | -39.32% | +2.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.19% | -12.61% | +3.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.92% | -32.62% | +15.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.17% | -39.32% | +12.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.01% | -11.97% | +5.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.61% | -10.27% | +4.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.67% | 4.57% | -0.90% |
Volatility
VGHAX vs. XHS - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) has a higher volatility of 5.81% compared to SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS) at 5.01%. This indicates that VGHAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XHS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| VGHAX | XHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.81% | 5.01% | +0.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.63% | 12.44% | -1.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.66% | 19.24% | -1.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.01% | 21.05% | -3.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.58% | 22.41% | -4.83% |