VGHCX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VGHCX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. VGHCX is actively managed, while VTIAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 9.32%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for VTIAX. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VGHCX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGHCX achieves a 4.43% return, which is significantly lower than VTIAX's 12.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VGHCX having a 9.32% annualized return and VTIAX not far ahead at 9.37%.

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%

VTIAX

• 1D: 2.76%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 6.66%
• YTD: 12.79%
• 1Y: 27.69%
• 3Y*: 16.78%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: 9.37%
• ALL TIME*: 6.96%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - 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%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.79%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VGHCX and VTIAX is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between VGHCX and VTIAX has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGHCX	VTIAX
Healthcare	99.5%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	4.6%
Financial Services	0.0%	24.2%
Basic Materials	0.0%	5.9%
Communication Services	-	3.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.4%
Energy	-	4.4%
Industrials	-	13.8%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Technology	-	25.6%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

VGHCX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGHCX

VGHCX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VGHCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VGHCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGHCX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VGHCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VGHCX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.65	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.27	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.33	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.76	8.64	-0.88

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGHCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGHCX and VTIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, roughly equal to the maximum VTIAX drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGHCX	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.93%	-35.83%	-1.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.20%	-11.28%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	-13.13%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.95%	-29.52%	+12.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.18%	-35.83%	+8.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.46%	-2.61%	-0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-8.02%	+2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	3.03%	+0.46%

Volatility

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) have volatilities of 5.44% and 5.45%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VGHCX	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.44%	5.45%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	14.12%	-2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.39%	15.98%	-0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.40%	15.37%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.67%	15.82%	+1.85%

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHCX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGHCX vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.33%, more than VTIAX's 2.55% 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%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.55%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGHCX and VTIAX in my portfolio?

VGHCX and VTIAX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGHCX or VTIAX?

VTIAX has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to VGHCX (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGHCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.65), 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.