VHCAX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - VHCAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX returned 16.65%/yr vs 9.68%/yr for VXUS. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VHCAX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHCAX achieves a 20.09% return, which is significantly higher than VXUS's 11.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VHCAX has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 16.65%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.68% annualized return.

VHCAX

• 1D: -4.24%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 20.09%
• 6M: 20.90%
• 1Y: 47.66%
• 3Y*: 24.93%
• 5Y*: 13.49%
• 10Y*: 16.65%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -1.98%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 13.49%
• 1Y: 27.05%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

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

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	20.09%	25.83%	14.07%	25.63%	-17.56%	20.92%	22.83%	27.30%	-3.71%	28.37%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	11.12%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VHCAX and VXUS is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.79

The correlation between VHCAX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHCAX	VXUS
Technology	33.1%	18.1%
Healthcare	24.9%	7.1%
Industrials	10.7%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	8.4%
Financial Services	8.2%	22.3%
Communication Services	6.5%	4.4%
Energy	2.2%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	5.0%
Basic Materials	0.4%	7.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.6%
Utilities	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

VHCAX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHCAX

VHCAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VHCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VHCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VHCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VHCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VHCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 56
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	1.73	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	2.36	+1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.32	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	2.41	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.82	9.34	+8.48
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. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is higher than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHCAX and VXUS, 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	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	1.73	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.50	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.57	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.37	+0.21

Drawdowns

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.27%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHCAX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHCAX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.27%	-35.97%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-11.27%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.92%	-13.58%	-10.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-29.44%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-35.97%	+2.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.43%	-3.70%	-0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-8.21%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.90%	-0.12%

Volatility

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a higher volatility of 7.28% compared to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) at 6.03%. This indicates that VHCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHCAX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.28%	6.03%	+1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.43%	13.60%	+0.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.54%	15.71%	+1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	16.13%	+3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	17.19%	+3.17%

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHCAX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHCAX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

VHCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.09%, more than VXUS's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	8.09%	9.71%	8.24%	2.40%	9.35%	10.55%	9.19%	6.48%	12.23%	3.87%	5.74%	5.39%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.73%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHCAX and VXUS in my portfolio?

VHCAX and VXUS have a correlation of 0.79, 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 VXUS?

VHCAX has higher volatility (7.28%) compared to VXUS (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHCAX dropped -54.27% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 1.73), 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.