VHT vs. VGHAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and VGHAX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.26%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for VGHAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VGHAX.

Performance

VHT vs. VGHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -4.02% return, which is significantly higher than VGHAX's -4.65% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has outperformed VGHAX with an annualized return of 9.26%, while VGHAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.70% annualized return.

VHT

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: -4.02%
• 6M: -4.15%
• 1Y: 14.34%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 4.51%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

VGHAX

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: -1.39%
• YTD: -4.65%
• 6M: -4.26%
• 1Y: 16.26%
• 3Y*: 8.39%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

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

VHT vs. VGHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-4.02%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	-4.65%	19.72%	9.10%	5.51%	-1.00%	12.82%	12.62%	22.99%	1.07%	19.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and VGHAX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.94

The correlation between VHT and VGHAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VHT vs. VGHAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHT	VGHAX
Healthcare	100.0%	97.8%
Financial Services	0.0%	0.0%
Industrials	0.0%	-
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	1.2%
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VHT vs. VGHAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VGHAX

VGHAX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VGHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VGHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VGHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VGHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

VHT vs. VGHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX). 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.

	VHT	VGHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.08	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	1.68	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.19	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	1.74	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	4.63	-1.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHT vs. VGHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is comparable to the VGHAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and VGHAX, 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

	VHT	VGHAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	1.08	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.40	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.50	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.60	-0.04

Drawdowns

VHT vs. VGHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, which is greater than VGHAX's maximum drawdown of -36.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and VGHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHT	VGHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-36.85%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-9.19%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-16.05%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-16.92%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.85%	-27.17%	-1.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.05%	-7.60%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-5.61%	-0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	3.44%	+0.70%

Volatility

VHT vs. VGHAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) at 3.78%. This indicates that VHT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGHAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHT	VGHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	3.78%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	10.35%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	14.74%	-0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.96%	18.12%	-3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	17.58%	-0.64%

VHT vs. VGHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VGHAX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VHT vs. VGHAX - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than VGHAX's 7.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGHAX Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares	7.00%	6.07%	22.84%	7.22%	5.49%	7.05%	8.02%	11.87%	9.15%	7.36%	8.60%	8.21%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.71%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHT and VGHAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VHT and VGHAX 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, VHT or VGHAX?

VHT has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to VGHAX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs VGHAX's -36.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 1.00), 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.