VITAX vs. VTCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VITAX (Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VTCAX (Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Technology Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VITAX returned 25.97%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for VTCAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VITAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VTCAX.

Performance

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX). 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 VTCAX's -0.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VITAX has outperformed VTCAX with an annualized return of 25.97%, while VTCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.41% 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%

VTCAX

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: -0.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

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

VITAX vs. VTCAX - 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%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.55%	26.28%	33.10%	44.73%	-38.78%	14.09%	28.95%	28.03%	-16.51%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VITAX and VTCAX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between VITAX and VTCAX has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VITAX	VTCAX
Technology	98.5%	1.2%
Communication Services	0.5%	98.4%
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.4%	0.0%
Energy	0.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	0.2%
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VITAX vs. VTCAX — 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

VTCAX

VTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
VTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. VTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX). 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	1.38	+1.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	2.07	+1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.25	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	1.56	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	5.96	+6.78
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. VTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.18, which is higher than the VTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITAX and VTCAX, 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.18	1.38	+1.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.38	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.05	0.45	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.43	+0.24

Drawdowns

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITAX drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, roughly equal to the maximum VTCAX drawdown of -57.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITAX and VTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITAX	VTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-57.11%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.38%	-13.56%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.38%	-21.19%	-6.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.10%	-46.58%	+11.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.10%	-46.58%	+11.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.92%	+3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-11.89%	+3.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	3.55%	+1.58%

Volatility

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) has a higher volatility of 6.01% compared to Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) at 4.17%. This indicates that VITAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VITAX	VTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	4.17%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.09%	11.12%	+4.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.61%	15.38%	+5.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.39%	21.24%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	21.00%	+3.84%

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VITAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VTCAX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VITAX vs. VTCAX - Dividend Comparison

VITAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than VTCAX's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.99%	0.95%	1.06%	1.04%	0.88%	1.20%	0.73%	0.89%	2.77%	3.84%	2.68%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITAX and VTCAX in my portfolio?

VITAX and VTCAX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VITAX or VTCAX?

VITAX has higher volatility (6.01%) compared to VTCAX (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITAX dropped -54.81% vs VTCAX's -57.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VITAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 1.38), 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.