VOE vs. VWELX

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

VOE (Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - VOE is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. VOE is passively managed, while VWELX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOE returned 10.69%/yr vs 9.68%/yr for VWELX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOE charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VOE vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOE achieves a 16.62% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 4.60% return. Over the past 10 years, VOE has outperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 10.69%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.68% annualized return.

VOE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 3.79%
• 6M: 12.00%
• YTD: 16.62%
• 1Y: 23.35%
• 3Y*: 15.00%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 10.69%
• ALL TIME*: 9.57%

VWELX

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -0.52%
• 6M: 4.05%
• YTD: 4.60%
• 1Y: 12.61%
• 3Y*: 13.51%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.68%
• ALL TIME*: 9.37%

*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)
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	$53.40M	$55.56M	$54.72M
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VOE vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	16.62%	12.08%	14.00%	9.85%	-7.97%	28.78%	2.65%	27.85%	-12.48%	17.07%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	4.60%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VOE and VWELX 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	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2006	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between VOE and VWELX has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VOE vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOE

VOE Risk / Return Rank: 87
VOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
VOE Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VOE Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

VOE vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). 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.

	VOE	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.42	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.02	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.26	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	1.92	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.87	8.36	+4.51

VOE vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOE Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOE and VWELX, 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

VOE vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOE drawdown since its inception was -61.50%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOE and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOE	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.50%	-36.12%	-25.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-6.78%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-11.98%	-6.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.70%	-20.88%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.18%	-25.33%	-17.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.34%	+2.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-3.91%	-4.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	1.55%	+0.27%

Volatility

VOE vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 2.33%. This indicates that VOE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOE	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	2.33%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.03%	7.41%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.37%	9.14%	+2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.89%	11.23%	+4.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	11.54%	+7.19%

VOE vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOE has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VWELX's 0.24% 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

VOE vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than VWELX's 11.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.82%	2.10%	2.11%	2.27%	2.27%	1.78%	2.36%	2.05%	2.75%	1.86%	1.92%	2.05%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	11.06%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOE and VWELX in my portfolio?

VOE and VWELX 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, VOE or VWELX?

VOE has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to VWELX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOE dropped -61.50% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.42), 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.