VLCAX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

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

VLCAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 2, 2004. VPMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001.

Performance

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - 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 PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	-7.50%	18.09%	25.10%	27.26%	-19.69%	27.02%	21.03%	31.39%	-4.49%	22.02%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	-5.86%	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, VLCAX achieves a -7.50% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's -5.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VLCAX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 13.70%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.53% annualized return.

VLCAX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -7.67%
• YTD: -7.50%
• 6M: -5.21%
• 1Y: 14.27%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: 13.70%

VPMAX

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: -10.43%
• YTD: -5.86%
• 6M: 22.85%
• 1Y: 46.58%
• 3Y*: 25.38%
• 5Y*: 14.62%
• 10Y*: 16.53%

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

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLCAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.31% expense ratio.

VPMAX

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares

VLCAX

Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

VLCAX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLCAX

VLCAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VLCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VLCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VLCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VLCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VLCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. VPMAX - 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 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.

	VLCAX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	1.64	-0.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	3.07	-1.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.44	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	3.21	-2.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.94	14.01	-9.06
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. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLCAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLCAX 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

	VLCAX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	1.64	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.73	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.83	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.61	-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between VLCAX 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

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

VLCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than VPMAX's 33.83% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.16%	1.08%	1.23%	1.40%	1.66%	1.18%	1.45%	1.80%	2.08%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	33.83%	31.85%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Drawdowns

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.76%, which is greater than VPMAX's maximum drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLCAX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLCAX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.76%	-48.32%	-6.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.17%	-13.75%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.65%	-25.21%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-32.65%	-1.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.19%	-11.72%	+2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.90%	-6.61%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	3.15%	-0.60%

Volatility

VLCAX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) is 4.23%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that VLCAX 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

	VLCAX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	5.57%	-1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.13%	21.87%	-12.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.23%	28.87%	-10.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	20.12%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	20.09%	-1.93%