PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VPMAX vs. VTSAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPMAX vs. VTSAX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VPMAX returned 16.66%/yr vs 14.47%/yr for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VPMAX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPMAX achieves a 20.70% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's 9.87% return. Over the past 10 years, VPMAX has outperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 16.66%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.47% annualized return.

VPMAX

1D
2.95%
1M
-3.97%
6M
14.66%
YTD
20.70%
1Y
47.11%
3Y*
23.43%
5Y*
14.89%
10Y*
16.66%
ALL TIME*
12.32%

VTSAX

1D
1.63%
1M
-0.77%
6M
8.16%
YTD
9.87%
1Y
21.10%
3Y*
18.58%
5Y*
11.61%
10Y*
14.47%
ALL TIME*
9.00%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

VPMAX

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VTSAX

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPMAX
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares		20.70%29.70%13.30%28.25%-15.16%21.72%17.23%27.88%-1.93%28.28%
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		9.87%17.12%23.23%26.51%-19.52%25.72%20.98%30.79%-5.18%21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VPMAX and VTSAX is 0.87, 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.

0.87

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.90

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.93

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001

0.95

The correlation between VPMAX and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VPMAX
VTSAX

Technology

28.9%
36.1%

Healthcare

25.1%
9.7%

Industrials

13.2%
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

11.8%
9.4%

Communication Services

7.7%
9.1%

Financial Services

7.6%
11.8%

Energy

1.8%
3.2%

Basic Materials

1.6%
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

1.1%
4.3%

Real Estate

0.1%
2.3%

Utilities

0.0%
2.2%

Technology

VPMAX
28.9%
VTSAX
36.1%

Healthcare

VPMAX
25.1%
VTSAX
9.7%

Industrials

VPMAX
13.2%
VTSAX
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

VPMAX
11.8%
VTSAX
9.4%

Communication Services

VPMAX
7.7%
VTSAX
9.1%

Financial Services

VPMAX
7.6%
VTSAX
11.8%

Energy

VPMAX
1.8%
VTSAX
3.2%

Basic Materials

VPMAX
1.6%
VTSAX
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

VPMAX
1.1%
VTSAX
4.3%

Real Estate

VPMAX
0.1%
VTSAX
2.3%

Utilities

VPMAX
0.0%
VTSAX
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VPMAX:
VPMAX vs. VOOVPMAX vs. FCNTXVPMAX vs. SPYVPMAX vs. VTIVPMAX vs. VHCAXVPMAX vs. VPCCXVPMAX vs. VMCPX
Often compared with VTSAX:
VTSAX vs. VOOVTSAX vs. VTIAXVTSAX vs. SWTSXVTSAX vs. VTIVTSAX vs. FSKAXVTSAX vs. SPYVTSAX vs. VTWAX

Return for Risk

VPMAX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VPMAX
VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9191
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8484
Omega Ratio Rank
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9494
Martin Ratio Rank
VTSAX
VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.

VPMAXVTSAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.29
1.43

+0.86

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.13
2.00

+1.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.25

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.73

2.10

+1.62

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.01

9.09

+4.93

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is higher than the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPMAX and VTSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPMAX drawdown since its inception was -48.32%, smaller than the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPMAX and VTSAX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VPMAXVTSAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-48.32%

-55.33%

+7.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.72%

-8.92%

-2.80%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.55%

-19.36%

-1.19%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.21%

-25.36%

+0.15%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-32.65%

-34.97%

+2.32%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.53%

-1.88%

-5.65%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.56%

-8.96%

+2.40%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.12%

2.06%

+1.06%

Volatility

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.29% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 3.41%. This indicates that VPMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VPMAXVTSAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.29%

3.41%

+2.88%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.18%

10.27%

+5.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.08%

13.13%

+5.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.81%

17.47%

+1.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.39%

18.41%

+0.98%

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPMAX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPMAX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

VPMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.63%, more than VTSAX's 1.06% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VPMAX
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares		13.63%16.46%6.71%7.24%9.94%10.18%9.82%7.23%8.43%4.52%5.13%5.99%
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.06%1.11%1.26%1.42%1.65%1.20%1.41%1.76%2.03%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VPMAX and VTSAX 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.

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to VTSAX (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPMAX dropped -48.32% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.43), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VPMAX and VTSAX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer