VGWAX vs. VWELX
VGWAX (Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VGWAX returned 8.56%/yr vs 7.70%/yr for VWELX. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VGWAX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.
Performance
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGWAX achieves a 11.64% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 4.88% return.
VGWAX
- 1D
- 1.04%
- 1M
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 7.05%
- YTD
- 11.64%
- 1Y
- 22.02%
- 3Y*
- 13.29%
- 5Y*
- 8.56%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 9.03%
VWELX
- 1D
- 1.44%
- 1M
- -1.15%
- 6M
- 4.06%
- YTD
- 4.88%
- 1Y
- 13.65%
- 3Y*
- 13.46%
- 5Y*
- 7.70%
- 10Y*
- 9.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.37%
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 |
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares | 11.64% | 17.48% | 6.27% | 12.54% | -7.07% | 13.51% | 7.51% | 22.16% | -5.05% |
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares | 4.88% | 16.54% | 14.73% | 14.29% | -14.36% | 18.99% | 10.57% | 22.51% | -3.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGWAX and VWELX is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.76 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2018 | 0.88 |
The correlation between VGWAX and VWELX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGWAX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank
VGWAX
VWELX
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). 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.
| VGWAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.69 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.25 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.16 | 1.88 | +1.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.73 | 7.96 | +4.78 |
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Drawdowns
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGWAX drawdown since its inception was -25.28%, smaller than the maximum VWELX drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGWAX and VWELX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGWAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.28% | -36.12% | +10.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.67% | -6.78% | +0.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.69% | -11.98% | +4.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.46% | -20.88% | +3.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -25.33% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -2.09% | +2.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.86% | -3.91% | +1.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 1.60% | +0.05% |
Volatility
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX) is 2.30%, while Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) has a volatility of 2.81%. This indicates that VGWAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGWAX | VWELX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.30% | 2.81% | -0.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.83% | 7.60% | -0.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.28% | 9.31% | -1.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.23% | 11.26% | -2.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.93% | 11.55% | -0.62% |
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGWAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VWELX's 0.24% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGWAX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison
VGWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, less than VWELX's 11.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares | 6.08% | 6.78% | 7.47% | 2.66% | 4.50% | 3.36% | 1.64% | 2.08% | 2.62% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares | 11.03% | 11.46% | 10.76% | 6.01% | 8.19% | 8.64% | 7.77% | 4.67% | 9.49% | 5.82% | 4.44% | 7.03% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGWAX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VWELX has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to VGWAX (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGWAX dropped -25.28% vs VWELX's -36.12%.
VGWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.37), 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.
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