VSEQX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSEQX (Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSEQX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, VSEQX returned 13.13%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSEQX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSEQX achieves a 16.05% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 7.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VSEQX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 13.13%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.83% annualized return.

VSEQX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 16.05%
• 6M: 16.43%
• 1Y: 35.10%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: 13.13%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 7.35%
• 6M: 7.26%
• 1Y: 19.35%
• 3Y*: 15.04%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	16.05%	15.32%	16.67%	19.31%	-11.90%	30.83%	10.26%	26.76%	-11.86%	12.36%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.35%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VSEQX and VBIAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.91

The correlation between VSEQX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSEQX	VBIAX
Technology	17.5%	33.5%
Industrials	16.6%	9.8%
Financial Services	15.2%	12.0%
Healthcare	11.0%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.0%
Real Estate	6.7%	2.4%
Energy	5.5%	3.7%
Basic Materials	4.9%	2.0%
Utilities	4.9%	2.3%
Communication Services	3.8%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	4.7%

Return for Risk

VSEQX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSEQX

VSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
VSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	VSEQX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.52	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.59	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.47	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.83	3.42	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.60	15.60	+3.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSEQX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSEQX and VBIAX, 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

	VSEQX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.52	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.73	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.88	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.64	-0.14

Drawdowns

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSEQX drawdown since its inception was -63.55%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSEQX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSEQX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.55%	-35.90%	-27.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.60%	-5.83%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.73%	-11.70%	-13.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.73%	-21.53%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.08%	-22.78%	-21.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.06%	-4.44%	-4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.27%	+0.70%

Volatility

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) has a higher volatility of 3.64% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 2.26%. This indicates that VSEQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSEQX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.64%	2.26%	+1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.61%	6.11%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.03%	7.90%	+7.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.95%	11.05%	+8.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	11.21%	+10.21%

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSEQX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% 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

VSEQX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VSEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.61%, more than VBIAX's 5.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.21%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	9.61%	11.16%	11.36%	6.11%	11.77%	21.36%	1.77%	2.92%	10.34%	7.05%	3.13%	12.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSEQX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

VSEQX and VBIAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSEQX or VBIAX?

VSEQX has higher volatility (3.64%) compared to VBIAX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSEQX dropped -63.55% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.44), 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.