VHYAX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VHYAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VHYAX returned 11.43%/yr vs 8.69%/yr for VWELX. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VHYAX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VHYAX vs. VWELX - 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 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, VHYAX achieves a 12.41% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 6.39% return.

VHYAX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 2.59%
• YTD: 12.41%
• 6M: 11.94%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 18.83%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: —

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)

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.41%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	6.39%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	17.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VHYAX and VWELX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
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	0.80

The correlation between VHYAX and VWELX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHYAX	VWELX
Financial Services	20.5%	10.6%
Technology	17.7%	31.8%
Healthcare	12.2%	9.8%
Industrials	12.1%	8.5%
Energy	9.8%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	10.9%
Utilities	5.7%	2.5%
Communication Services	3.5%	12.3%
Basic Materials	3.5%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.0%	2.6%

Return for Risk

VHYAX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VHYAX vs. VWELX - 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 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.

	VHYAX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	2.41	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	3.40	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.45	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	2.99	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	13.88	+0.82
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. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is comparable to the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHYAX 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

	VHYAX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	2.41	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.78	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.84	-0.13

Drawdowns

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.14%, roughly equal to the maximum VWELX drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHYAX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHYAX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.14%	-36.12%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-6.78%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.42%	-11.98%	-2.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-20.88%	+5.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.67%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.77%	-3.92%	+0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.46%	+0.32%

Volatility

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) has a higher volatility of 2.81% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 2.61%. This indicates that VHYAX'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

	VHYAX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	2.61%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	6.68%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.32%	8.41%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.00%	11.14%	+2.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	11.53%	+6.43%

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHYAX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VWELX's 0.24% 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

VHYAX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VHYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than VWELX's 10.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.17%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 VHYAX and VWELX in my portfolio?

VHYAX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.67, 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 VWELX?

VHYAX has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to VWELX (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHYAX dropped -35.14% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 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.