VGHCX vs. VHCIX
VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and VHCIX (Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 9.32%/yr vs 9.92%/yr for VHCIX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VGHCX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VHCIX.
Performance
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHCX achieves a 4.43% return, which is significantly lower than VHCIX's 7.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX has underperformed VHCIX with an annualized return of 9.32%, while VHCIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.92% annualized return.
VGHCX
- 1D
- -1.27%
- 1M
- -2.84%
- 6M
- 4.38%
- YTD
- 4.43%
- 1Y
- 28.58%
- 3Y*
- 11.51%
- 5Y*
- 7.89%
- 10Y*
- 9.32%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.60%
VHCIX
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -0.51%
- 6M
- 7.68%
- YTD
- 7.47%
- 1Y
- 28.79%
- 3Y*
- 9.15%
- 5Y*
- 5.23%
- 10Y*
- 9.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.87%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 4.43% | 19.63% | 8.99% | 5.46% | -1.05% | 14.36% | 12.57% | 22.93% | 1.03% | 19.59% |
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares | 7.47% | 15.43% | 2.64% | 2.48% | -5.50% | 20.56% | 18.22% | 21.97% | 5.55% | 23.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHCX and VHCIX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004 | 0.94 |
The correlation between VGHCX and VHCIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VGHCX
VHCIX
Healthcare
Consumer Defensive
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Financial Services
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Energy
-
-
Industrials
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
VGHCX
VHCIX
Consumer Defensive
VGHCX
VHCIX
-
Financial Services
VGHCX
VHCIX
Basic Materials
VGHCX
VHCIX
-
Communication Services
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
-
Consumer Cyclical
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
-
Energy
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
-
Industrials
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
Real Estate
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
-
Technology
VGHCX
-
VHCIX
Utilities
VGHCX
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VHCIX
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Return for Risk
VGHCX vs. VHCIX — Risk / Return Rank
VGHCX
VHCIX
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VGHCX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.30 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.95 | 2.53 | +0.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.76 | 6.27 | +1.49 |
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Drawdowns
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, smaller than the maximum VHCIX drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and VHCIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGHCX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.93% | -39.12% | +2.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.20% | -10.39% | +1.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.08% | -16.89% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.95% | -17.77% | +0.82% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.18% | -28.58% | +1.40% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.46% | -1.92% | -1.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.24% | -5.94% | +0.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.49% | 4.20% | -0.71% |
Volatility
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) have volatilities of 5.44% and 5.56%, 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
| VGHCX | VHCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.44% | 5.56% | -0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.65% | 11.71% | -0.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.39% | 15.42% | -0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.40% | 15.30% | +3.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.67% | 17.01% | +0.66% |
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHCX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VHCIX's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGHCX vs. VHCIX - Dividend Comparison
VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.33%, more than VHCIX's 1.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 6.33% | 6.00% | 22.72% | 7.17% | 5.44% | 8.31% | 7.96% | 11.82% | 9.10% | 7.30% | 8.54% | 8.16% |
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.54% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VGHCX and VHCIX 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.
VHCIX has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to VGHCX (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs VHCIX's -39.12%.
VGHCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.71), 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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