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VGSLX vs. VGHCX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGSLX vs. VGHCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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

Performance

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

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

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%

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

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
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%

Correlation

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

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VGSLX
VGHCX

Real Estate

83.1%

-

Financial Services

14.7%
0.0%

Basic Materials

0.9%
0.0%

Communication Services

0.5%

-

Technology

0.3%

-

Energy

0.1%

-

Industrials

0.0%

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

1.2%

Healthcare

-

97.8%

Utilities

-

-

Real Estate

VGSLX
83.1%
VGHCX

-

Financial Services

VGSLX
14.7%
VGHCX
0.0%

Basic Materials

VGSLX
0.9%
VGHCX
0.0%

Communication Services

VGSLX
0.5%
VGHCX

-

Technology

VGSLX
0.3%
VGHCX

-

Energy

VGSLX
0.1%
VGHCX

-

Industrials

VGSLX
0.0%
VGHCX

-

Consumer Cyclical

VGSLX

-

VGHCX

-

Consumer Defensive

VGSLX

-

VGHCX
1.2%

Healthcare

VGSLX

-

VGHCX
97.8%

Utilities

VGSLX

-

VGHCX

-

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Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares

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

Return for Risk

VGSLX vs. VGHCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

VGSLXVGHCXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.75
1.08

-0.33

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.10
1.67

-0.57

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

1.19

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.19

1.73

-0.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.75

4.60

-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.

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGSLX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the VGHCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGSLX and VGHCX, 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

VGSLXVGHCXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.75

1.08

-0.33

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.12

0.40

-0.28

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.25

0.50

-0.25

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.32

0.92

-0.61

Drawdowns

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Drawdown Comparison

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

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Drawdown Indicators

VGSLXVGHCXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.05%

-36.93%

-36.12%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.33%

-9.20%

+0.87%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.41%

-16.08%

-1.33%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.41%

-16.95%

-17.46%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.34%

-27.18%

-15.16%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.58%

-7.61%

+4.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.58%

-5.25%

-7.33%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.63%

3.44%

-0.81%

Volatility

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGSLX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) 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

VGSLXVGHCXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.79%

3.79%

0.00%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.33%

10.35%

-1.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.16%

14.75%

-1.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.87%

18.21%

+0.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.85%

17.64%

+3.21%

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VGSLX vs. VGHCX - Dividend Comparison

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

VGSLX and VGHCX 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.

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

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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