VHYAX vs. LEIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) and LEIFX (Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VHYAX returned 11.62%/yr vs 4.40%/yr for LEIFX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VHYAX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for LEIFX.

Performance

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) and Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHYAX achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly higher than LEIFX's 5.16% return.

VHYAX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.47%
• 1Y: 26.66%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 11.62%
• 10Y*: —

LEIFX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.67%
• YTD: 5.16%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: 4.40%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.92%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	5.16%	15.18%	-0.45%	8.82%	-7.96%	21.12%	6.43%	12.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VHYAX and LEIFX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between VHYAX and LEIFX has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VHYAX vs. LEIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

LEIFX

LEIFX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LEIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
LEIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
LEIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
LEIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
LEIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) and Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX). 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.

	VHYAX	LEIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.04	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	3.01	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.39	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.11	3.18	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.57	10.02	+5.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is higher than the LEIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHYAX and LEIFX, 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

	VHYAX	LEIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	2.04	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.29	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.46	+0.26

Drawdowns

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.14%, smaller than the maximum LEIFX drawdown of -49.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHYAX and LEIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHYAX	LEIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.14%	-49.19%	+14.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-6.01%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.42%	-25.60%	+11.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-25.60%	+9.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.65%	+3.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.77%	-10.04%	+6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.90%	-0.12%

Volatility

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) and Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX) have volatilities of 2.93% and 2.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHYAX	LEIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	2.82%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.76%	7.07%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.31%	9.38%	+0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.00%	15.13%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	17.39%	+0.58%

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHYAX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than LEIFX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHYAX vs. LEIFX - Dividend Comparison

VHYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than LEIFX's 24.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	24.27%	24.92%	0.82%	1.08%	7.54%	16.37%	1.17%	2.01%	19.47%	5.34%	3.98%	3.15%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.16%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHYAX and LEIFX in my portfolio?

VHYAX and LEIFX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHYAX or LEIFX?

VHYAX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to LEIFX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHYAX dropped -35.14% vs LEIFX's -49.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.04), 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.