VIAAX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIAAX (Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VIAAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VIAAX returned 7.89%/yr vs 10.20%/yr for VWELX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIAAX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIAAX) 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, VIAAX achieves a 3.86% return, which is significantly lower than VWELX's 7.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VIAAX has underperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 7.89%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.20% annualized return.

VIAAX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 3.86%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 7.28%
• 3Y*: 10.13%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 7.89%

VWELX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 7.36%
• 1Y: 21.02%
• 3Y*: 15.61%
• 5Y*: 8.97%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

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

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIAAX Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.86%	16.83%	2.60%	16.07%	-16.66%	12.36%	15.10%	26.99%	-11.32%	27.83%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	7.11%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VIAAX and VWELX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2016	0.77

The correlation between VIAAX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIAAX	VWELX
Financial Services	29.0%	10.6%
Industrials	17.1%	8.5%
Healthcare	14.6%	9.8%
Technology	11.5%	31.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.7%	4.4%
Utilities	4.8%	2.5%
Basic Materials	4.1%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.1%	10.9%
Energy	2.8%	4.4%
Communication Services	1.3%	12.3%
Real Estate	1.3%	2.6%

Return for Risk

VIAAX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIAAX

VIAAX Risk / Return Rank: 6
VIAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
VIAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
VIAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
VIAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VIAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIAAX) 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.

	VIAAX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	2.56	-2.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.76	3.60	-2.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.48	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.60	3.17	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.09	14.69	-12.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIAAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIAAX 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

	VIAAX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	2.56	-2.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.81	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.89	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.84	-0.28

Drawdowns

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIAAX drawdown since its inception was -30.78%, smaller than the maximum VWELX drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIAAX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIAAX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.78%	-36.12%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.52%	-6.78%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	-11.98%	-2.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.59%	-20.88%	-7.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.78%	-25.33%	-5.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	0.00%	-1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.14%	-3.92%	-2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	1.46%	+1.58%

Volatility

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIAAX) has a higher volatility of 2.77% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 2.52%. This indicates that VIAAX'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

	VIAAX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	2.52%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.99%	6.67%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.15%	8.38%	+4.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.06%	11.13%	+2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.18%	11.53%	+3.65%

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIAAX has a 0.16% 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

VIAAX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VIAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, less than VWELX's 10.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIAAX Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.06%	2.09%	1.92%	1.92%	2.05%	7.01%	1.28%	1.83%	1.99%	1.69%	0.68%	0.00%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.76%	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 VIAAX and VWELX in my portfolio?

VIAAX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIAAX or VWELX?

VIAAX has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to VWELX (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIAAX dropped -30.78% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 0.48), 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.