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VIGAX vs. VFIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VIGAX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Documentation

VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX returned 17.50%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VFIAX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VIGAX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIGAX achieves a 7.34% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.74% return. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 17.50%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.14% annualized return.

VIGAX

1D
2.23%
1M
1.73%
6M
10.64%
YTD
7.34%
1Y
15.69%
3Y*
23.27%
5Y*
12.53%
10Y*
17.50%
ALL TIME*
9.70%

VFIAX

1D
1.49%
1M
1.63%
6M
10.48%
YTD
11.74%
1Y
21.46%
3Y*
20.84%
5Y*
13.10%
10Y*
15.14%
ALL TIME*
8.90%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

VFIAX

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VIGAX

Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VIGAX
Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares		7.34%19.43%32.67%46.76%-33.14%27.26%40.18%37.23%-3.35%27.80%
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		11.74%17.83%24.97%26.24%-18.16%28.65%18.32%31.46%-4.45%21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGAX and VFIAX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.94

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.93

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.95

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000

0.96

The correlation between VIGAX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VIGAX
VFIAX

Technology

56.2%
38.6%

Communication Services

15.4%
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

11.5%
9.5%

Industrials

5.3%
8.5%

Healthcare

4.7%
8.9%

Financial Services

3.8%
11.4%

Consumer Defensive

1.4%
4.5%

Real Estate

1.0%
1.8%

Utilities

0.7%
2.2%

Basic Materials

0.5%
1.7%

Energy

0.3%
3.0%

Technology

VIGAX
56.2%
VFIAX
38.6%

Communication Services

VIGAX
15.4%
VFIAX
9.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VIGAX
11.5%
VFIAX
9.5%

Industrials

VIGAX
5.3%
VFIAX
8.5%

Healthcare

VIGAX
4.7%
VFIAX
8.9%

Financial Services

VIGAX
3.8%
VFIAX
11.4%

Consumer Defensive

VIGAX
1.4%
VFIAX
4.5%

Real Estate

VIGAX
1.0%
VFIAX
1.8%

Utilities

VIGAX
0.7%
VFIAX
2.2%

Basic Materials

VIGAX
0.5%
VFIAX
1.7%

Energy

VIGAX
0.3%
VFIAX
3.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VIGAX:
VIGAX vs. VUGVIGAX vs. INDEXVIGAX vs. VVIAXVIGAX vs. VWUAXVIGAX vs. SCHGVIGAX vs. FLCNXVIGAX vs. FSELX
Often compared with VFIAX:
VFIAX vs. VOOVFIAX vs. VTIVFIAX vs. SPYVFIAX vs. VITAXVFIAX vs. VVIAXVFIAX vs. VFIFXVFIAX vs. VBIAX

Return for Risk

VIGAX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VIGAX
VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2222
Calmar Ratio Rank
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank
VFIAX
VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

VIGAXVFIAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.01
1.82

-0.81

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.48
2.51

-1.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.33

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.09

2.62

-1.53

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.47

11.27

-7.80

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGAX and VFIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGAX drawdown since its inception was -50.66%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGAX and VFIAX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VIGAXVFIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.66%

-55.20%

+4.54%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-16.51%

-8.90%

-7.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-23.04%

-18.75%

-4.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.63%

-24.53%

-11.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.63%

-33.83%

-1.80%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.42%

0.00%

-3.42%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.91%

-9.35%

-2.56%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.17%

2.07%

+3.10%

Volatility

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a higher volatility of 5.95% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 3.81%. This indicates that VIGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VIGAXVFIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.95%

3.81%

+2.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.39%

10.20%

+4.19%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.82%

12.86%

+4.96%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.65%

17.03%

+5.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.71%

18.08%

+3.63%

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VIGAX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VIGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than VFIAX's 1.05% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.05%1.12%1.24%1.45%1.68%1.24%1.53%1.87%2.05%1.78%2.02%2.10%
VIGAX
Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares		0.38%0.40%0.46%0.57%0.69%0.47%0.66%0.94%1.31%1.14%1.39%1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, VIGAX and VFIAX 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.

VIGAX has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to VFIAX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGAX dropped -50.66% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.01), 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.

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