VHCAX vs. VPMCX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) and VPMCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX returned 17.15%/yr vs 17.59%/yr for VPMCX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VHCAX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for VPMCX.

Performance

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VHCAX having a 25.65% return and VPMCX slightly lower at 25.64%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VHCAX having a 17.15% annualized return and VPMCX not far ahead at 17.59%.

VHCAX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 12.04%
• YTD: 25.65%
• 6M: 27.20%
• 1Y: 55.77%
• 3Y*: 26.95%
• 5Y*: 14.52%
• 10Y*: 17.15%

VPMCX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 10.35%
• YTD: 25.64%
• 6M: 27.62%
• 1Y: 58.49%
• 3Y*: 28.08%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 17.59%

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

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	25.65%	25.83%	14.07%	25.63%	-17.56%	20.92%	22.83%	27.30%	-3.71%	28.37%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	25.64%	29.60%	13.23%	28.16%	-15.22%	21.64%	17.16%	27.78%	-1.99%	28.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VHCAX and VPMCX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.97

The correlation between VHCAX and VPMCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHCAX	VPMCX
Technology	33.1%	28.9%
Healthcare	24.9%	25.1%
Industrials	10.7%	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	11.8%
Financial Services	8.2%	7.6%
Communication Services	6.5%	7.7%
Energy	2.2%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	1.1%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%
Utilities	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

VHCAX vs. VPMCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHCAX

VHCAX Risk / Return Rank: 90
VHCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VHCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VHCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VHCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
VHCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VPMCX

VPMCX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VPMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VPMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VPMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). 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.

	VHCAX	VPMCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.33	3.71	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.46	5.00	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.65	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.55	5.06	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.42	23.33	-2.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHCAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.33, which is comparable to the VPMCX Sharpe Ratio of 3.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHCAX and VPMCX, 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

	VHCAX	VPMCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33	3.71	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.89	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.92	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.81	-0.21

Drawdowns

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.27%, which is greater than VPMCX's maximum drawdown of -50.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHCAX and VPMCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHCAX	VPMCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.27%	-50.45%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-11.73%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.92%	-20.56%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-25.25%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-32.65%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-7.40%	-1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.54%	+0.22%

Volatility

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) at 6.13%. This indicates that VHCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPMCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHCAX	VPMCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.63%	6.13%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.70%	12.83%	+0.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.98%	16.02%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.82%	18.25%	+1.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.31%	19.19%	+1.12%

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHCAX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMCX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHCAX vs. VPMCX - Dividend Comparison

VHCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.73%, less than VPMCX's 13.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	7.73%	9.71%	8.24%	2.40%	9.35%	10.55%	9.19%	6.48%	12.23%	3.87%	5.74%	5.39%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	13.02%	16.36%	6.62%	7.16%	9.85%	10.08%	9.74%	7.15%	8.32%	4.53%	5.05%	5.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHCAX and VPMCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VHCAX and VPMCX 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, VHCAX or VPMCX?

VHCAX has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to VPMCX (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHCAX dropped -54.27% vs VPMCX's -50.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 3.33), 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.