VINIX vs. VEXRX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VINIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VEXRX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VINIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VEXRX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VINIX returned 15.63%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for VEXRX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VINIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VEXRX.

Performance

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VINIX achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly lower than VEXRX's 14.74% return. Over the past 10 years, VINIX has outperformed VEXRX with an annualized return of 15.63%, while VEXRX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.33% annualized return.

VINIX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 22.85%
• 5Y*: 14.03%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

VEXRX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 14.74%
• 6M: 12.89%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VINIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares	10.87%	17.85%	26.28%	25.77%	-18.15%	28.67%	18.40%	31.46%	-4.42%	21.79%
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	14.74%	7.19%	17.40%	19.90%	-23.23%	16.07%	31.51%	31.42%	-2.34%	22.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VINIX and VEXRX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.89

The correlation between VINIX and VEXRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VINIX	VEXRX
Technology	35.7%	20.6%
Financial Services	11.6%	11.2%
Communication Services	11.3%	2.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	12.0%
Healthcare	8.5%	17.5%
Industrials	8.3%	21.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	2.7%
Energy	3.5%	4.5%
Utilities	2.4%	1.6%
Real Estate	1.9%	3.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.8%

Return for Risk

VINIX vs. VEXRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VINIX

VINIX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VINIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VINIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VINIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VINIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VINIX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VEXRX

VEXRX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VEXRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VEXRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VEXRX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VEXRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEXRX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares (VINIX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX). 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.

	VINIX	VEXRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.68	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.39	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.29	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	2.80	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.78	10.91	+3.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VINIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the VEXRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VINIX and VEXRX, 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

	VINIX	VEXRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	1.68	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.33	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.61	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.46	+0.15

Drawdowns

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VINIX drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, roughly equal to the maximum VEXRX drawdown of -57.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VINIX and VEXRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VINIX	VEXRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-57.26%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-10.16%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-24.35%	+5.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.51%	-32.67%	+8.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-39.86%	+6.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.50%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.53%	-9.94%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	2.61%	-0.71%

Volatility

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares (VINIX) is 2.93%, while Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) has a volatility of 4.61%. This indicates that VINIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEXRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VINIX	VEXRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	4.61%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	12.64%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	17.03%	-5.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	21.31%	-4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	21.83%	-3.77%

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VINIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VEXRX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

VINIX vs. VEXRX - Dividend Comparison

VINIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, less than VEXRX's 6.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	6.57%	7.54%	12.72%	0.89%	5.22%	16.17%	6.76%	5.08%	11.13%	11.46%	4.63%	10.89%
VINIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.41%	2.10%	3.64%	2.65%	3.38%	4.77%	3.06%	2.85%	2.43%	1.82%	2.36%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VINIX and VEXRX in my portfolio?

VINIX and VEXRX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VINIX or VEXRX?

VEXRX has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to VINIX (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VINIX dropped -55.19% vs VEXRX's -57.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VINIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.68), 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.