VOO vs. VWENX

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and VWENX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VWENX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. VOO is passively managed, while VWENX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.54%/yr vs 10.40%/yr for VWENX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VWENX.

Performance

VOO vs. VWENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 7.53% return, which is significantly higher than VWENX's 5.18% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed VWENX with an annualized return of 15.54%, while VWENX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.40% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: -3.35%
• YTD: 7.53%
• 6M: 6.22%
• 1Y: 19.99%
• 3Y*: 20.26%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

VWENX

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 5.18%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 15.32%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

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

VOO vs. VWENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	7.53%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	5.18%	16.63%	14.82%	14.40%	-14.31%	19.09%	10.66%	22.61%	-3.35%	14.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and VWENX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.96

The correlation between VOO and VWENX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VOO vs. VWENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 55
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VWENX

VWENX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VWENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VWENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VWENX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VWENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VWENX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VOO vs. VWENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX). 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.

	VOO	VWENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.85	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	2.59	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.45	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.21	10.92	-0.70

VOO vs. VWENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VWENX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and VWENX, 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

VOO vs. VWENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum VWENX drawdown of -36.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and VWENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	VWENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-36.02%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-6.77%	-2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-11.98%	-6.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-20.84%	-3.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-25.33%	-8.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-1.85%	-1.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-4.35%	+0.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	1.51%	+0.51%

Volatility

VOO vs. VWENX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) at 3.64%. This indicates that VOO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	VWENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	3.64%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.78%	7.35%	+2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.40%	8.96%	+3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	11.23%	+5.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	11.54%	+6.47%

VOO vs. VWENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VWENX's 0.16% 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

VOO vs. VWENX - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than VWENX's 11.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.36%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	11.09%	11.55%	10.85%	6.08%	8.28%	8.72%	7.85%	4.74%	9.58%	5.88%	4.53%	6.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and VWENX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VOO and VWENX 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, VOO or VWENX?

VOO has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to VWENX (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs VWENX's -36.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.67), 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.