VLCAX vs. VIGAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VLCAX (Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VLCAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VLCAX returned 15.63%/yr vs 18.42%/yr for VIGAX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VLCAX having a 11.30% return and VIGAX slightly lower at 11.14%. Over the past 10 years, VLCAX has underperformed VIGAX with an annualized return of 15.63%, while VIGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.42% annualized return.

VLCAX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 29.20%
• 3Y*: 22.89%
• 5Y*: 13.77%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

VIGAX

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 30.68%
• 3Y*: 26.57%
• 5Y*: 15.54%
• 10Y*: 18.42%

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

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.30%	18.09%	25.10%	27.26%	-19.69%	27.02%	21.03%	31.39%	-4.49%	22.02%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.14%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VLCAX and VIGAX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
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 2, 2004	0.96

The correlation between VLCAX and VIGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLCAX	VIGAX
Technology	35.9%	53.5%
Financial Services	11.8%	4.3%
Communication Services	11.2%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.6%	4.6%
Industrials	8.0%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	1.5%
Energy	3.6%	0.4%
Utilities	2.7%	0.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	1.0%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.6%

Return for Risk

VLCAX vs. VIGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLCAX

VLCAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VLCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VLCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VLCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VLCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VLCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VIGAX 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.

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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.

	VLCAX	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.00	+0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.68	+0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.35	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	1.91	+1.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.95	6.73	+8.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLCAX and VIGAX, 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

	VLCAX	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.00	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.70	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.86	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.48	+0.10

Drawdowns

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.76%, which is greater than VIGAX's maximum drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLCAX and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLCAX	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.76%	-50.66%	-4.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-16.51%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	-23.04%	+4.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.65%	-35.63%	+9.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-35.63%	+1.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-11.96%	+5.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	4.68%	-2.68%

Volatility

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) is 2.80%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that VLCAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLCAX	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	3.59%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	12.11%	-3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.95%	15.90%	-3.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	22.35%	-5.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.20%	21.59%	-3.39%

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VLCAX and VIGAX have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VLCAX vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

VLCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than VIGAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.36%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.96%	1.08%	1.23%	1.40%	1.66%	1.18%	1.45%	1.80%	2.08%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLCAX and VIGAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VLCAX and VIGAX 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, VLCAX or VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to VLCAX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLCAX dropped -54.76% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.00), 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.