VGHCX vs. SHSSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and SHSSX (Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 8.79%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for SHSSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGHCX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SHSSX.

Performance

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) 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, VGHCX achieves a -4.67% return, which is significantly higher than SHSSX's -5.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX has underperformed SHSSX with an annualized return of 8.79%, while SHSSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.37% annualized return.

VGHCX

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: -1.40%
• YTD: -4.67%
• 6M: -4.29%
• 1Y: 16.18%
• 3Y*: 8.30%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 8.79%

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)

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	-4.67%	19.63%	8.99%	5.46%	-1.05%	14.36%	12.57%	22.93%	1.03%	19.59%
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 VGHCX 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 Jan 3, 2001	0.92

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

Return for Risk

VGHCX vs. SHSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGHCX

VGHCX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VGHCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VGHCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VGHCX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGHCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VGHCX 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.

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) 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.

	VGHCX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	0.96	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.49	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.17	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	1.35	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.60	3.38	+1.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGHCX 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 VGHCX 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

	VGHCX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	0.96	+0.11
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	0.92	0.69	+0.24

Drawdowns

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, roughly equal to the maximum SHSSX drawdown of -35.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and SHSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGHCX	SHSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.93%	-35.40%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.20%	-9.83%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	-15.95%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.95%	-17.90%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.18%	-28.34%	+1.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.61%	-8.10%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.25%	-5.98%	+0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	3.91%	-0.47%

Volatility

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) is 3.79%, while Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that VGHCX 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

	VGHCX	SHSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	4.16%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	10.40%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	13.76%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.21%	14.37%	+3.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	16.54%	+1.10%

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHCX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than SHSSX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGHCX vs. SHSSX - Dividend Comparison

VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%, 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%
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	6.93%	6.00%	22.72%	7.17%	5.44%	8.31%	7.96%	11.82%	9.10%	7.30%	8.54%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGHCX and SHSSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VGHCX 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, VGHCX or SHSSX?

SHSSX has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VGHCX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs SHSSX's -35.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGHCX 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.