VSPVX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VSPVX (Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSPVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, VSPVX returned 12.11%/yr vs 13.36%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSPVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VSPVX having a 7.86% return and VDADX slightly lower at 7.47%. Over the past 10 years, VSPVX has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 12.11%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.36% annualized return.

VSPVX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 7.86%
• 6M: 7.23%
• 1Y: 20.45%
• 3Y*: 15.11%
• 5Y*: 11.30%
• 10Y*: 12.11%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 18.93%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

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

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSPVX Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.86%	12.62%	11.99%	22.39%	-5.33%	24.80%	1.23%	31.84%	-9.02%	15.28%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.47%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VSPVX and VDADX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2014	0.90

The correlation between VSPVX and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSPVX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSPVX

VSPVX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VSPVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VSPVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VSPVX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VSPVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VSPVX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	VSPVX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.99	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	2.87	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.35	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	2.56	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	10.31	+2.71

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSPVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSPVX and VDADX, 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

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSPVX drawdown since its inception was -37.05%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSPVX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSPVX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.05%	-31.70%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-7.93%	+1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.91%	-14.95%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-20.42%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.05%	-31.70%	-5.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-0.62%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-3.39%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.64%	1.96%	-0.32%

Volatility

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) have volatilities of 2.98% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSPVX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.88%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	7.72%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.97%	10.21%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.43%	14.27%	+0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	16.21%	+0.87%

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSPVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX'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

VSPVX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

VSPVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%
VSPVX Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.69%	1.35%	2.12%	1.70%	2.21%	1.88%	2.46%	2.12%	2.73%	2.18%	2.30%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSPVX and VDADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, VSPVX and VDADX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VSPVX or VDADX?

VSPVX has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to VDADX (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSPVX dropped -37.05% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSPVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.99), 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.