VITAX vs. STPAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VITAX (Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares) and STPAX (Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VITAX returned 25.97%/yr vs 16.95%/yr for STPAX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VITAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 2.53%/yr for STPAX.

Performance

VITAX vs. STPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) and Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio (STPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VITAX achieves a 33.66% return, which is significantly higher than STPAX's 12.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VITAX has outperformed STPAX with an annualized return of 25.97%, while STPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 16.95% annualized return.

VITAX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 19.87%
• YTD: 33.66%
• 6M: 32.51%
• 1Y: 62.61%
• 3Y*: 34.15%
• 5Y*: 23.05%
• 10Y*: 25.97%

STPAX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 9.87%
• YTD: 12.85%
• 6M: 12.93%
• 1Y: 30.13%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: 10.94%
• 10Y*: 16.95%

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

VITAX vs. STPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	33.66%	21.78%	29.26%	52.69%	-29.67%	30.36%	45.93%	48.72%	2.51%	37.07%
STPAX Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio	12.85%	16.20%	20.02%	45.01%	-31.89%	16.54%	26.75%	45.00%	0.06%	27.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VITAX and STPAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.95

The correlation between VITAX and STPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VITAX vs. STPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VITAX

VITAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VITAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VITAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VITAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VITAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VITAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

STPAX

STPAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
STPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
STPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
STPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
STPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
STPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

VITAX vs. STPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) and Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio (STPAX). 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.

	VITAX	STPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	1.89	+1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	2.48	+1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.32	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	2.02	+1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	6.79	+5.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VITAX vs. STPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.18, which is higher than the STPAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITAX and STPAX, 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

	VITAX	STPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.18	1.89	+1.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.51	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.05	0.77	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.27	+0.40

Drawdowns

VITAX vs. STPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITAX drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, smaller than the maximum STPAX drawdown of -94.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITAX and STPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITAX	STPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-94.25%	+39.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.38%	-15.49%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.38%	-22.78%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.10%	-37.07%	+1.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.10%	-37.07%	+1.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-58.76%	+50.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	4.60%	+0.53%

Volatility

VITAX vs. STPAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) has a higher volatility of 6.01% compared to Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio (STPAX) at 4.12%. This indicates that VITAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than STPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VITAX	STPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	4.12%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.09%	12.77%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.61%	16.51%	+4.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.39%	21.68%	+3.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	22.03%	+2.81%

VITAX vs. STPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VITAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than STPAX's 2.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

VITAX vs. STPAX - Dividend Comparison

VITAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than STPAX's 15.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STPAX Saratoga Technology & Communications Portfolio	15.33%	17.30%	13.90%	7.63%	22.55%	13.94%	14.21%	12.52%	4.84%	8.32%	9.28%	12.58%
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.30%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.63%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITAX and STPAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VITAX and STPAX 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.

Which is riskier, VITAX or STPAX?

VITAX has higher volatility (6.01%) compared to STPAX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITAX dropped -54.81% vs STPAX's -94.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VITAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 1.89), 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.