VHCIX vs. PRHSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHCIX (Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares) and PRHSX (T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VHCIX returned 9.16%/yr vs 9.98%/yr for PRHSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHCIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for PRHSX.

Performance

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) and T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHCIX achieves a -4.82% return, which is significantly higher than PRHSX's -5.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VHCIX has underperformed PRHSX with an annualized return of 9.16%, while PRHSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.98% annualized return.

VHCIX

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: -4.82%
• 6M: -4.99%
• 1Y: 13.36%
• 3Y*: 5.84%
• 5Y*: 4.43%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

PRHSX

• 1D: -2.17%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: -5.20%
• 6M: -5.57%
• 1Y: 17.50%
• 3Y*: 5.15%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 9.98%

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

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares	-4.82%	15.43%	2.64%	2.48%	-5.50%	20.56%	18.22%	21.97%	5.55%	23.35%
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund	-5.20%	17.75%	1.82%	3.03%	-12.22%	13.50%	30.19%	37.88%	1.08%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VHCIX and PRHSX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.92

The correlation between VHCIX and PRHSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VHCIX vs. PRHSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHCIX

VHCIX Risk / Return Rank: 13
VHCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
VHCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VHCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
VHCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VHCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

PRHSX

PRHSX Risk / Return Rank: 16
PRHSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PRHSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PRHSX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
PRHSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PRHSX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) and T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX). 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.

	VHCIX	PRHSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	1.17	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	1.77	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.20	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.41	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.34	4.07	-0.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHCIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is comparable to the PRHSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHCIX and PRHSX, 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

	VHCIX	PRHSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96	1.17	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.16	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.52	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.61	-0.06

Drawdowns

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHCIX drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum PRHSX drawdown of -42.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHCIX and PRHSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHCIX	PRHSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-42.96%	+3.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.39%	-12.81%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.89%	-21.00%	+4.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.77%	-27.61%	+9.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.58%	-28.97%	+0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.85%	-8.17%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.97%	-8.75%	+2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	4.44%	-0.33%

Volatility

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHCIX) is 4.01%, while T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) has a volatility of 4.89%. This indicates that VHCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PRHSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHCIX	PRHSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	4.89%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.17%	11.96%	-1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	15.45%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.00%	17.25%	-2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.93%	19.26%	-2.33%

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHCIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than PRHSX's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHCIX vs. PRHSX - Dividend Comparison

VHCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.72%, less than PRHSX's 12.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund	12.76%	12.09%	12.89%	5.21%	1.77%	7.46%	7.16%	12.29%	6.57%	7.43%	4.55%	11.34%
VHCIX Vanguard Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.72%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.19%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHCIX and PRHSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VHCIX and PRHSX 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, VHCIX or PRHSX?

PRHSX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to VHCIX (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHCIX dropped -39.12% vs PRHSX's -42.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRHSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 0.96), 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.