VGIAX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGIAX (Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VGIAX returned 14.27%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VGIAX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares (VGIAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGIAX achieves a 10.47% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

VGIAX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 10.47%
• 6M: 10.77%
• 1Y: 28.81%
• 3Y*: 23.19%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: 15.41%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGIAX Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares	10.47%	19.26%	25.84%	24.83%	-17.18%	28.86%	18.04%	29.77%	-4.61%	18.86%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VGIAX and VFFSX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.99

The correlation between VGIAX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGIAX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGIAX

VGIAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VGIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VGIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VGIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VGIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VGIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares (VGIAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	VGIAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.52	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	3.42	-0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	3.36	-0.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.76	15.70	-1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGIAX and VFFSX, 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

	VGIAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.52	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.85	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.86	-0.38

Drawdowns

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGIAX drawdown since its inception was -56.85%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIAX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGIAX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.85%	-33.82%	-23.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.73%	-8.90%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.66%	-18.75%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.30%	-24.51%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-4.50%	-4.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.90%	+0.25%

Volatility

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares (VGIAX) has a higher volatility of 3.03% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 2.83%. This indicates that VGIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGIAX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.83%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.47%	8.98%	+0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.54%	11.86%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	16.90%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.21%	18.41%	-0.20%

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGIAX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGIAX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

VGIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.71%, more than VFFSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%
VGIAX Vanguard Growth and Income Fund Admiral Shares	9.71%	10.72%	11.67%	8.70%	9.81%	15.28%	6.63%	4.19%	8.05%	5.06%	7.01%	7.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGIAX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VGIAX and VFFSX 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, VGIAX or VFFSX?

VGIAX has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to VFFSX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIAX dropped -56.85% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.37), 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.