VIMAX vs. VO
VIMAX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIMAX returned 11.37%/yr vs 11.50%/yr for VO. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VIMAX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.
Performance
VIMAX vs. VO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VIMAX having a 12.41% return and VO slightly lower at 12.35%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VIMAX having a 11.37% annualized return and VO not far ahead at 11.50%.
VIMAX
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 10.10%
- YTD
- 12.41%
- 1Y
- 16.54%
- 3Y*
- 14.19%
- 5Y*
- 7.77%
- 10Y*
- 11.37%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.36%
VO
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 10.12%
- YTD
- 12.35%
- 1Y
- 16.51%
- 3Y*
- 14.32%
- 5Y*
- 7.77%
- 10Y*
- 11.50%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.33%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $194.51M | $293.72M | $235.90M |
VIMAX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIMAX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 12.41% | 11.67% | 14.66% | 16.53% | -18.70% | 24.51% | 18.18% | 31.03% | -9.24% | 19.26% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 12.35% | 11.62% | 15.31% | 16.03% | -18.73% | 24.70% | 18.10% | 30.98% | -9.24% | 19.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIMAX and VO is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 1.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VIMAX and VO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
VIMAX vs. VO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VIMAX
VO
Industrials
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Utilities
Healthcare
Energy
Real Estate
Consumer Defensive
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Industrials
VIMAX
VO
Technology
VIMAX
VO
Financial Services
VIMAX
VO
Consumer Cyclical
VIMAX
VO
Utilities
VIMAX
VO
Healthcare
VIMAX
VO
Energy
VIMAX
VO
Real Estate
VIMAX
VO
Consumer Defensive
VIMAX
VO
Basic Materials
VIMAX
VO
Communication Services
VIMAX
VO
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Return for Risk
VIMAX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank
VIMAX
VO
VIMAX vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.
| VIMAX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.21 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.81 | 1.83 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.88 | 6.99 | -0.11 |
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Drawdowns
VIMAX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIMAX drawdown since its inception was -58.88%, roughly equal to the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIMAX and VO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIMAX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.88% | -58.87% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.13% | -8.17% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.93% | -19.02% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.55% | -27.57% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.30% | -39.37% | +0.07% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.44% | -0.49% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.07% | -7.81% | -0.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.13% | 2.13% | 0.00% |
Volatility
VIMAX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) have volatilities of 2.10% and 2.09%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VIMAX | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.10% | 2.09% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.49% | 9.44% | +0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.60% | 12.61% | -0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.63% | 17.59% | +0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.84% | 18.86% | -0.02% |
VIMAX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIMAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% 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
VIMAX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison
VIMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, which matches VO's 1.32% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIMAX Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.31% | 1.51% | 1.48% | 1.50% | 1.59% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.47% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 1.32% | 1.52% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.12% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, VIMAX and VO 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.
VIMAX has higher volatility (2.10%) compared to VO (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIMAX dropped -58.88% vs VO's -58.87%.
VO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 1.17), 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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