VIMSX vs. VIGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIMSX (Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VIMSX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, VIMSX returned 11.40%/yr vs 18.39%/yr for VIGAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIMSX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VIGAX.

Performance

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VIMSX having a 10.48% return and VIGAX slightly higher at 10.82%. Over the past 10 years, VIMSX has underperformed VIGAX with an annualized return of 11.40%, while VIGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.39% annualized return.

VIMSX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 6M: 10.13%
• 1Y: 18.59%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

VIGAX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.54%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.11%
• 1Y: 29.44%
• 3Y*: 26.45%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.39%

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

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIMSX Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund	10.48%	11.08%	14.52%	16.40%	-18.80%	24.36%	18.04%	30.85%	-9.35%	19.12%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.82%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VIMSX and VIGAX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between VIMSX and VIGAX has dropped to 0.59 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VIMSX vs. VIGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIMSX

VIMSX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VIMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VIMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VIMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VIMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VIMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VIMSX	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.92	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.59	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.33	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	1.84	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.19	6.49	+2.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIMSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIMSX and VIGAX, 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

	VIMSX	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.92	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.71	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.86	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.48	0.00

Drawdowns

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIMSX drawdown since its inception was -58.96%, which is greater than VIGAX's maximum drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIMSX and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIMSX	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.96%	-50.66%	-8.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.14%	-16.51%	+8.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.31%	-23.04%	+3.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.63%	-35.63%	+8.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.29%	-35.63%	-3.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.07%	-11.96%	+3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	4.68%	-2.54%

Volatility

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund (VIMSX) is 2.97%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 3.62%. This indicates that VIMSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIMSX	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	3.62%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	12.10%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	15.88%	-3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	22.35%	-4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.93%	21.59%	-2.66%

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIMSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGAX's 0.05% 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

VIMSX vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

VIMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, more than VIGAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.36%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
VIMSX Vanguard Mid Cap Index Fund	1.23%	1.03%	1.37%	1.39%	1.46%	1.00%	1.34%	1.37%	1.68%	1.24%	1.34%	1.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIMSX and VIGAX in my portfolio?

VIMSX and VIGAX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIMSX or VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to VIMSX (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIMSX dropped -58.96% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.60), 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.