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VGHCX vs. VGSLX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGHCX vs. VGSLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and VGSLX (Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VGHCX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VGSLX is a REIT fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 8.79%/yr vs 5.20%/yr for VGSLX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGHCX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VGSLX.

Performance

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGSLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGHCX achieves a -4.67% return, which is significantly lower than VGSLX's 7.97% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX has outperformed VGSLX with an annualized return of 8.79%, while VGSLX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.20% 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%

VGSLX

1D
0.46%
1M
-0.95%
YTD
7.97%
6M
6.88%
1Y
10.13%
3Y*
9.19%
5Y*
2.20%
10Y*
5.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VGSLX
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares		7.97%3.18%3.67%13.13%-26.20%40.39%-4.75%28.90%-5.99%4.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VGHCX and VGSLX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.44

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.51

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.59

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001

0.54

The correlation between VGHCX and VGSLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VGHCX
VGSLX

Healthcare

97.8%

-

Consumer Defensive

1.2%

-

Financial Services

0.0%
14.7%

Basic Materials

0.0%
0.9%

Communication Services

-

0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Energy

-

0.1%

Industrials

-

0.0%

Real Estate

-

83.1%

Technology

-

0.3%

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

VGHCX
97.8%
VGSLX

-

Consumer Defensive

VGHCX
1.2%
VGSLX

-

Financial Services

VGHCX
0.0%
VGSLX
14.7%

Basic Materials

VGHCX
0.0%
VGSLX
0.9%

Communication Services

VGHCX

-

VGSLX
0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

VGHCX

-

VGSLX

-

Energy

VGHCX

-

VGSLX
0.1%

Industrials

VGHCX

-

VGSLX
0.0%

Real Estate

VGHCX

-

VGSLX
83.1%

Technology

VGHCX

-

VGSLX
0.3%

Utilities

VGHCX

-

VGSLX

-

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Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares

Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VGHCX:
VGHCX vs. VHTVGHCX vs. FSHCXVGHCX vs. FSPHXVGHCX vs. VOOVGHCX vs. VPMCXVGHCX vs. XLVVGHCX vs. GM
Often compared with VGSLX:
VGSLX vs. FSRNXVGSLX vs. VTSAXVGSLX vs. VGSIXVGSLX vs. VGRLXVGSLX vs. VFIAXVGSLX vs. VGSNXVGSLX vs. FRESX

Return for Risk

VGHCX vs. VGSLX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGHCX
VGHCX Risk / Return Rank: 1717
Overall Rank
VGHCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGHCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1616
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGHCX Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
VGHCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2222
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGHCX Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
VGSLX
VGSLX Risk / Return Rank: 1010
Overall Rank
VGSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
Omega Ratio Rank
VGSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1212
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 1313
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VGSLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGSLX). 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.

VGHCXVGSLXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.08
0.75

+0.33

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.67
1.10

+0.57

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.14

+0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.73

1.19

+0.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.60

3.75

+0.85

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. VGSLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGHCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the VGSLX Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGHCX and VGSLX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VGHCXVGSLXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.08

0.75

+0.33

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.40

0.12

+0.28

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

0.25

+0.25

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.92

0.32

+0.61

Drawdowns

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, smaller than the maximum VGSLX drawdown of -73.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and VGSLX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGHCXVGSLXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.93%

-73.05%

+36.12%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.20%

-8.33%

-0.87%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.08%

-17.41%

+1.33%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.95%

-34.41%

+17.46%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.18%

-42.34%

+15.16%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.61%

-3.58%

-4.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.25%

-12.58%

+7.33%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.44%

2.63%

+0.81%

Volatility

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGSLX) have volatilities of 3.79% and 3.79%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VGHCXVGSLXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.79%

3.79%

0.00%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.35%

9.33%

+1.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.75%

13.16%

+1.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.21%

18.87%

-0.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.64%

20.85%

-3.21%

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHCX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSLX's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGHCX vs. VGSLX - Dividend Comparison

VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%, more than VGSLX's 3.69% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VGSLX
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares		3.69%3.92%3.85%3.91%3.91%2.56%3.92%3.39%4.73%4.23%4.82%3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

VGHCX and VGSLX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VGSLX has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to VGHCX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs VGSLX's -73.05%.

VGHCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.75), 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.

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