VPCCX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VPCCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VPCCX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VPCCX returned 17.00%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VPCCX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund (VPCCX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPCCX achieves a 28.30% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VPCCX has outperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 17.00%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.61% annualized return.

VPCCX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 11.50%
• YTD: 28.30%
• 6M: 30.49%
• 1Y: 63.32%
• 3Y*: 28.82%
• 5Y*: 16.54%
• 10Y*: 17.00%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPCCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund	28.30%	29.96%	12.72%	23.58%	-12.43%	24.30%	12.04%	27.70%	-4.89%	26.27%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VPCCX and VFIAX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2004	0.94

The correlation between VPCCX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPCCX	VFIAX
Technology	28.0%	35.7%
Healthcare	22.0%	8.5%
Industrials	15.6%	8.3%
Financial Services	10.8%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	10.2%
Communication Services	5.8%	11.3%
Energy	3.7%	3.5%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	4.9%
Utilities	0.1%	2.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

VPCCX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPCCX

VPCCX Risk / Return Rank: 96
VPCCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VPCCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VPCCX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VPCCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VPCCX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund (VPCCX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	VPCCX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.91	2.55	+1.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.26	3.46	+1.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.46	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.19	3.38	+2.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	28.28	15.82	+12.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPCCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.91, which is higher than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPCCX and VFIAX, 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

	VPCCX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.91	2.55	+1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.84	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.87	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.47	+0.22

Drawdowns

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPCCX drawdown since its inception was -47.53%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPCCX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPCCX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.53%	-55.20%	+7.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.29%	-8.90%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.92%	-18.75%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.75%	-24.53%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.60%	-33.83%	-0.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-9.40%	+3.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	1.90%	+0.35%

Volatility

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund (VPCCX) has a higher volatility of 6.69% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that VPCCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPCCX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.69%	2.82%	+3.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.21%	8.99%	+4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.38%	11.88%	+4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	16.90%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.76%	18.07%	+0.69%

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPCCX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPCCX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VPCCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.45%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VPCCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund	13.45%	17.25%	7.17%	5.73%	8.40%	6.89%	7.89%	6.99%	9.45%	4.10%	5.52%	4.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPCCX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VPCCX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPCCX or VFIAX?

VPCCX has higher volatility (6.69%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPCCX dropped -47.53% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPCCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.91 vs 2.55), 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.