VINEX vs. VGWAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VINEX (Vanguard International Explorer Fund) and VGWAX (Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VINEX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VGWAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VINEX returned 3.37%/yr vs 8.43%/yr for VGWAX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VINEX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VGWAX.

Performance

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VINEX having a 9.90% return and VGWAX slightly lower at 9.85%.

VINEX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.90%
• 6M: 9.46%
• 1Y: 20.55%
• 3Y*: 14.36%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 7.06%

VGWAX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.75%
• 3Y*: 13.99%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	9.90%	27.98%	0.11%	15.26%	-27.56%	9.52%	15.07%	21.90%	-24.96%
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	9.85%	17.48%	6.27%	12.54%	-7.07%	13.51%	7.51%	22.16%	-5.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VINEX and VGWAX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2018	0.83

The correlation between VINEX and VGWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VINEX vs. VGWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VINEX

VINEX Risk / Return Rank: 28
VINEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
VINEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VINEX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VINEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VINEX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VGWAX

VGWAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
VGWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VGWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VGWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VGWAX 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.

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX). 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.

	VINEX	VGWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	2.59	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.66	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.49	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	3.20	-1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.59	12.93	-6.35

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VINEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the VGWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VINEX and VGWAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VINEX drawdown since its inception was -62.16%, which is greater than VGWAX's maximum drawdown of -25.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VINEX and VGWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VINEX	VGWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.16%	-25.28%	-36.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-6.67%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.72%	-7.69%	-9.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.24%	-17.46%	-24.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.43%	-1.10%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.20%	-2.89%	-14.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	1.65%	+1.60%

Volatility

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) has a higher volatility of 4.97% compared to Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX) at 2.83%. This indicates that VINEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VINEX	VGWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	2.83%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	6.71%	+5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.10%	8.24%	+6.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.10%	9.22%	+7.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.20%	10.97%	+6.23%

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VINEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VGWAX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

VINEX vs. VGWAX - Dividend Comparison

VINEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, less than VGWAX's 6.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	6.18%	6.78%	7.47%	2.66%	4.50%	3.36%	1.64%	2.08%	2.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	3.81%	4.19%	4.17%	2.47%	1.74%	4.80%	1.06%	2.51%	8.75%	4.22%	1.95%	5.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VINEX and VGWAX in my portfolio?

VINEX and VGWAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VINEX or VGWAX?

VINEX has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to VGWAX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VINEX dropped -62.16% vs VGWAX's -25.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.43), 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.