VHCAX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX returned 17.13%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHCAX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VHCAX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHCAX achieves a 25.45% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 17.13%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

VHCAX

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 14.26%
• YTD: 25.45%
• 6M: 27.02%
• 1Y: 55.98%
• 3Y*: 26.88%
• 5Y*: 14.78%
• 10Y*: 17.13%

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

VHCAX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	25.45%	25.83%	14.07%	25.63%	-17.56%	20.92%	22.83%	27.30%	-3.71%	28.37%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VHCAX and VUG is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.90

The correlation between VHCAX and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VHCAX vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHCAX	VUG
Technology	33.1%	53.5%
Healthcare	24.9%	4.6%
Industrials	10.7%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	12.2%
Financial Services	8.2%	4.3%
Communication Services	6.5%	17.3%
Energy	2.2%	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	1.5%
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

VHCAX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHCAX

VHCAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
VHCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VHCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VHCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VHCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
VHCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.39	1.77	+1.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.52	2.40	+2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.31	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.63	1.69	+2.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.80	5.92	+14.87
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHCAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.39, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHCAX and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.39	1.77	+1.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.68	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.85	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.62	-0.02

Drawdowns

VHCAX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.27%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHCAX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHCAX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.27%	-50.68%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-16.53%	+4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.92%	-22.85%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-35.61%	+8.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-35.61%	+1.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.51%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-7.09%	-1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	4.71%	-1.95%

Volatility

VHCAX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a higher volatility of 6.64% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that VHCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHCAX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.64%	3.83%	+2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.74%	12.11%	+1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.99%	15.84%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.83%	22.22%	-2.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.32%	21.44%	-1.12%

VHCAX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHCAX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHCAX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VHCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.74%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	7.74%	9.71%	8.24%	2.40%	9.35%	10.55%	9.19%	6.48%	12.23%	3.87%	5.74%	5.39%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHCAX and VUG in my portfolio?

VHCAX and VUG have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHCAX or VUG?

VHCAX has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHCAX dropped -54.27% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 1.77), 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.