VLACX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund (VLACX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX).

VLACX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jan 27, 2004. VPMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001.

Performance

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund (VLACX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLACX Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund	-4.81%	17.60%	24.61%	27.10%	-19.78%	26.87%	20.88%	31.22%	-4.60%	21.89%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	-2.75%	54.11%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLACX achieves a -4.81% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's -2.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VLACX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 13.83%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.91% annualized return.

VLACX

• 1D: 2.94%
• 1M: -5.01%
• YTD: -4.81%
• 6M: -2.82%
• 1Y: 17.01%
• 3Y*: 18.08%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.83%

VPMAX

• 1D: 3.30%
• 1M: -6.80%
• YTD: -2.75%
• 6M: 24.32%
• 1Y: 51.98%
• 3Y*: 26.74%
• 5Y*: 15.10%
• 10Y*: 16.91%

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

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLACX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.31% expense ratio.

VPMAX

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares

VLACX

Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund

Return for Risk

VLACX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLACX

VLACX Risk / Return Rank: 55
VLACX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VLACX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VLACX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VLACX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VLACX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund (VLACX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	VLACX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.78	-0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	3.30	-1.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.48	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	3.76	-2.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	16.16	-9.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLACX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLACX and VPMAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VLACX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	1.78	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.75	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.84	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.62	-0.08

Correlation

The correlation between VLACX and VPMAX is 0.95, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

VLACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than VPMAX's 32.75% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLACX Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund	1.00%	0.71%	0.86%	1.30%	1.51%	1.07%	1.35%	1.72%	1.95%	1.64%	1.87%	1.84%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	32.75%	31.85%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Drawdowns

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLACX drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, which is greater than VPMAX's maximum drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLACX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLACX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-48.32%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.17%	-13.75%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.72%	-25.21%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-32.65%	-1.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.54%	-8.80%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-6.61%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	3.20%	-0.61%

Volatility

VLACX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Large Cap Index Fund (VLACX) is 5.35%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.72%. This indicates that VLACX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLACX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.35%	6.72%	-1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	22.09%	-12.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.43%	28.98%	-10.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	20.17%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	20.11%	-1.93%