VGWIX vs. VGYAX
VGWIX (Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares) and VGYAX (Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VGWIX returned 5.08%/yr vs 5.22%/yr for VGYAX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VGWIX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for VGYAX.
Performance
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VGWIX having a 4.39% return and VGYAX slightly higher at 4.46%.
VGWIX
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- YTD
- 4.39%
- 6M
- 4.57%
- 1Y
- 11.12%
- 3Y*
- 9.48%
- 5Y*
- 5.08%
- 10Y*
- —
VGYAX
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 4.46%
- 6M
- 4.64%
- 1Y
- 11.28%
- 3Y*
- 9.62%
- 5Y*
- 5.22%
- 10Y*
- —
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGWIX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares | 4.39% | 13.18% | 6.02% | 8.78% | -8.15% | 6.41% | 5.41% | 13.82% | -4.38% | 0.94% |
VGYAX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares | 4.46% | 13.31% | 6.15% | 8.95% | -8.06% | 6.58% | 5.52% | 13.92% | -4.31% | 0.98% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGWIX and VGYAX is 1.00 - 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 | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2017 | 1.00 |
The correlation between VGWIX and VGYAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGWIX vs. VGYAX — Risk / Return Rank
VGWIX
VGYAX
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VGWIX) and Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VGYAX). 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.
| VGWIX | VGYAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.41 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.40 | 2.46 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 9.25 | -0.20 |
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Drawdowns
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGWIX drawdown since its inception was -17.74%, roughly equal to the maximum VGYAX drawdown of -17.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGWIX and VGYAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGWIX | VGYAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.74% | -17.71% | -0.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.59% | -4.55% | -0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.35% | -5.34% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.95% | -15.89% | -0.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.50% | -0.47% | -0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.68% | -2.64% | -0.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 1.21% | +0.01% |
Volatility
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VGWIX) and Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VGYAX) have volatilities of 1.60% and 1.61%, 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
| VGWIX | VGYAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.60% | 1.61% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.23% | 4.25% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.18% | 5.19% | -0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.26% | 6.27% | -0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.79% | 6.79% | 0.00% |
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGWIX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than VGYAX's 0.28% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGWIX vs. VGYAX - Dividend Comparison
VGWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.85%, less than VGYAX's 3.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGWIX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares | 3.85% | 3.88% | 3.77% | 3.03% | 1.41% | 2.27% | 1.89% | 2.17% | 4.25% | 0.29% |
VGYAX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares | 3.97% | 4.01% | 3.90% | 3.15% | 1.54% | 2.40% | 1.99% | 2.26% | 4.36% | 0.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, VGWIX and VGYAX 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.
VGYAX has higher volatility (1.61%) compared to VGWIX (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGWIX dropped -17.74% vs VGYAX's -17.71%.
VGYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.13), 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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