VINEX vs. VIGIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VINEX (Vanguard International Explorer Fund) and VIGIX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VINEX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VIGIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VINEX returned 6.34%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for VIGIX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VINEX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIGIX.

Performance

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX). 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 VINEX having a 10.34% return and VIGIX slightly higher at 10.83%. Over the past 10 years, VINEX has underperformed VIGIX with an annualized return of 6.34%, while VIGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

VINEX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 11.80%
• 1Y: 21.62%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 3.39%
• 10Y*: 6.34%

VIGIX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.55%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 10.12%
• 1Y: 29.46%
• 3Y*: 26.47%
• 5Y*: 15.72%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	10.34%	27.98%	0.11%	15.26%	-27.56%	9.52%	15.07%	21.90%	-23.02%	35.92%
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	10.83%	19.44%	32.68%	46.77%	-33.13%	27.27%	40.19%	37.26%	-3.34%	27.81%

Correlation

The correlation between VINEX and VIGIX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 1998	0.58

The correlation between VINEX and VIGIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.70 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VINEX	VIGIX
Industrials	23.2%	3.6%
Financial Services	14.4%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	12.2%
Technology	10.9%	53.5%
Real Estate	8.5%	1.0%
Basic Materials	7.0%	0.6%
Healthcare	6.4%	4.6%
Communication Services	4.1%	17.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	1.5%
Energy	2.9%	0.4%
Utilities	2.7%	0.9%

Return for Risk

VINEX vs. VIGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VINEX

VINEX Risk / Return Rank: 25
VINEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VINEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VINEX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VINEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VINEX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VIGIX

VIGIX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VIGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VIGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VIGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VIGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VIGIX 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.

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX). 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.

	VINEX	VIGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.92	-0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.59	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	1.85	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.53	6.49	+0.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VINEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the VIGIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VINEX and VIGIX, 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

	VINEX	VIGIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.92	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.71	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.86	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.47	+0.02

Drawdowns

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VINEX drawdown since its inception was -62.16%, which is greater than VIGIX's maximum drawdown of -56.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VINEX and VIGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VINEX	VIGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.16%	-56.95%	-5.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-16.51%	+4.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.72%	-23.03%	+6.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.24%	-35.62%	-6.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.46%	-35.62%	-9.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.28%	-0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-16.28%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	4.68%	-1.48%

Volatility

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX) at 3.62%. This indicates that VINEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VINEX	VIGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	3.62%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.93%	12.10%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.65%	15.87%	-1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	22.35%	-5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.22%	21.59%	-4.37%

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VINEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VINEX vs. VIGIX - Dividend Comparison

VINEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than VIGIX's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.15%	1.40%	1.31%
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	3.80%	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 VIGIX in my portfolio?

VINEX and VIGIX have a correlation of 0.64, 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 VIGIX?

VINEX has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to VIGIX (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VINEX dropped -62.16% vs VIGIX's -56.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.44), 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.