VHCAX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VHCAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX returned 17.15%/yr vs 10.12%/yr for VWELX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHCAX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHCAX achieves a 25.65% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 6.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX has outperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 17.15%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.12% annualized return.

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%

VWELX

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 6.39%
• 6M: 6.66%
• 1Y: 19.88%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 8.69%
• 10Y*: 10.12%

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

VHCAX vs. VWELX - 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%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	6.39%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VHCAX and VWELX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.86

The correlation between VHCAX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHCAX	VWELX
Technology	33.1%	31.8%
Healthcare	24.9%	9.8%
Industrials	10.7%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	10.9%
Financial Services	8.2%	10.6%
Communication Services	6.5%	12.3%
Energy	2.2%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	4.4%
Basic Materials	0.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.6%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

VHCAX vs. VWELX — 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

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VHCAX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.33	2.41	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.46	3.40	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.45	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.55	2.99	+1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.42	13.88	+6.54
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. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHCAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.33, which is higher than the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHCAX and VWELX, 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	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33	2.41	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.78	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.88	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.84	-0.24

Drawdowns

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.27%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHCAX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHCAX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.27%	-36.12%	-18.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-6.78%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.92%	-11.98%	-11.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-20.88%	-6.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-25.33%	-8.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.67%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-3.92%	-4.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	1.46%	+1.30%

Volatility

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 2.61%. This indicates that VHCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHCAX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.63%	2.61%	+4.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.70%	6.68%	+7.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.98%	8.41%	+8.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.82%	11.14%	+8.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.31%	11.53%	+8.78%

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHCAX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VWELX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHCAX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VHCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.73%, less than VWELX's 10.83% 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%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.83%	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

Can I hold both VHCAX and VWELX in my portfolio?

VHCAX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.83, 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 VWELX?

VHCAX has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to VWELX (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHCAX dropped -54.27% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 2.41), 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.