VPMCX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VPMCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VPMCX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPMCX returned 18.19%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VWELX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VPMCX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) 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, VPMCX achieves a 25.45% return, which is significantly higher than VWELX's 5.15% return. Over the past 10 years, VPMCX has outperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 18.19%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

VPMCX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 25.45%
• 6M: 23.99%
• 1Y: 53.98%
• 3Y*: 27.21%
• 5Y*: 15.66%
• 10Y*: 18.19%

VWELX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.07%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 4.28%
• 1Y: 16.42%
• 3Y*: 14.72%
• 5Y*: 8.34%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	25.45%	29.60%	13.23%	28.16%	-15.22%	21.64%	17.16%	27.78%	-1.99%	28.17%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	5.15%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VPMCX and VWELX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 1984	0.81

The correlation between VPMCX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VPMCX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPMCX

VPMCX Risk / Return Rank: 93
VPMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VPMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VPMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VPMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) 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.

	VPMCX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	1.85	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.99	2.59	+1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.34	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.62	2.44	+2.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.83	10.94	+9.89

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPMCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is higher than the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPMCX 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

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPMCX drawdown since its inception was -50.45%, which is greater than VWELX's maximum drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPMCX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPMCX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.45%	-36.12%	-14.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-6.78%	-4.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.56%	-11.98%	-8.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-20.88%	-4.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.65%	-25.33%	-7.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.31%	-1.83%	-1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-3.92%	-3.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	1.51%	+1.09%

Volatility

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) has a higher volatility of 9.14% compared to Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) at 3.69%. This indicates that VPMCX'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

	VPMCX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.14%	3.69%	+5.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.07%	7.35%	+7.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	8.99%	+8.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.60%	11.22%	+7.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.31%	11.54%	+7.77%

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPMCX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VWELX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPMCX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

VPMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.04%, more than VWELX's 11.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	13.04%	16.36%	6.62%	7.16%	9.85%	10.08%	9.74%	7.15%	8.32%	4.53%	5.05%	5.91%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	11.00%	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 VPMCX and VWELX in my portfolio?

VPMCX and VWELX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPMCX or VWELX?

VPMCX has higher volatility (9.14%) compared to VWELX (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPMCX dropped -50.45% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 1.85), 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.