VRNIX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VRNIX (Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VRNIX returned 15.43%/yr vs 17.68%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VRNIX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRNIX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRNIX achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 25.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VRNIX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 15.43%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.68% annualized return.

VRNIX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 10.37%
• 1Y: 27.08%
• 3Y*: 21.99%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 15.43%

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 10.37%
• YTD: 25.69%
• 6M: 27.67%
• 1Y: 58.62%
• 3Y*: 28.17%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: 17.68%

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

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRNIX Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	10.55%	16.94%	24.44%	26.49%	-19.19%	28.64%	20.90%	31.36%	-4.84%	21.58%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.69%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VRNIX and VPMAX 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	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.94

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

Return for Risk

VRNIX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRNIX

VRNIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VRNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VRNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VRNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VRNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VRNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRNIX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	VRNIX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	3.72	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	5.01	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.65	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	5.08	-2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	23.42	-9.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRNIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRNIX and VPMAX, 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

	VRNIX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	3.72	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.90	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.92	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.65	+0.21

Drawdowns

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRNIX drawdown since its inception was -34.57%, smaller than the maximum VPMAX drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRNIX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRNIX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.57%	-48.32%	+13.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-11.72%	+2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.40%	-20.55%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.14%	-25.21%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.57%	-32.65%	-1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	0.00%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.90%	-6.58%	+2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	2.54%	-0.63%

Volatility

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRNIX) is 2.95%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.14%. This indicates that VRNIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRNIX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	6.14%	-3.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.04%	12.83%	-3.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	16.02%	-4.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	18.25%	-1.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.27%	19.19%	-0.92%

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRNIX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.27% 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

VRNIX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

VRNIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than VPMAX's 13.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.09%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%
VRNIX Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.00%	0.82%	1.21%	1.41%	1.59%	2.86%	1.46%	1.65%	2.00%	1.73%	1.93%	1.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRNIX and VPMAX in my portfolio?

VRNIX and VPMAX 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, VRNIX or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.14%) compared to VRNIX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRNIX dropped -34.57% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.72 vs 2.27), 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.