VLISX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VLISX (Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VLISX returned 15.13%/yr vs 12.88%/yr for AWSHX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VLISX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLISX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLISX achieves a 9.79% return, which is significantly higher than AWSHX's 8.99% return. Over the past 10 years, VLISX has outperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 15.13%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.88% annualized return.

VLISX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 0.06%
• 6M: 7.97%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: 19.53%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 15.13%
• ALL TIME*: 11.00%

AWSHX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 1.00%
• 6M: 6.70%
• YTD: 8.99%
• 1Y: 17.35%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 12.88%
• ALL TIME*: 10.17%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VLISX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLISX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	9.79%	18.11%	25.12%	27.26%	-19.68%	27.04%	21.04%	31.38%	-4.47%	22.04%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	8.99%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between VLISX and AWSHX is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.96

The correlation between VLISX and AWSHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (1 year) to 0.96 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VLISX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VLISX

VLISX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VLISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VLISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VLISX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VLISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VLISX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 55
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLISX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VLISX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.54	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.20	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	1.93	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.77	8.35	+0.42

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLISX and AWSHX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLISX drawdown since its inception was -54.48%, roughly equal to the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLISX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLISX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.48%	-53.95%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-8.37%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	-14.66%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.65%	-18.64%	-7.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-34.65%	+0.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.54%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.70%	-6.39%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.93%	+0.24%

Volatility

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLISX) has a higher volatility of 3.55% compared to American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) at 2.38%. This indicates that VLISX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AWSHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLISX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	2.38%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	7.81%	+2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.98%	10.52%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.28%	14.05%	+3.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.21%	16.28%	+1.93%

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLISX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLISX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

VLISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than AWSHX's 9.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.49%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
VLISX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.02%	1.08%	1.24%	1.41%	1.67%	1.19%	1.46%	1.81%	2.09%	1.76%	1.99%	1.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLISX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

VLISX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLISX or AWSHX?

VLISX has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to AWSHX (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLISX dropped -54.48% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AWSHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.47), 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.