VWEAX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWEAX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VWEAX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VWEAX returned 5.26%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWEAX charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWEAX achieves a 1.20% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VWEAX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 5.26%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized return.

VWEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 7.12%
• 3Y*: 8.28%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: 5.26%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	1.20%	9.49%	6.42%	11.79%	-8.95%	3.04%	5.41%	15.92%	-2.80%	7.17%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VWEAX and VFIAX is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.28

Over the past year, VWEAX and VFIAX have become more correlated (0.52) than their long-term average of 0.28, meaning their price movements have been converging.

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWEAX	VFIAX
Financial Services	0.6%	11.6%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Technology	-	35.7%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VWEAX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWEAX

VWEAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VWEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VWEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX 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.

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	VWEAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.52	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	3.42	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.46	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	3.35	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	15.66	-1.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWEAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWEAX and VFIAX, 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

	VWEAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	2.52	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.85	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	0.87	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.23	0.47	+0.76

Drawdowns

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWEAX drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWEAX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWEAX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-55.20%	+25.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.52%	-8.90%	+6.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.32%	-18.75%	+15.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.77%	-24.53%	+10.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.68%	-33.83%	+14.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-9.40%	+7.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	1.90%	-1.41%

Volatility

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) is 0.98%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that VWEAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWEAX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	2.82%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.56%	8.98%	-6.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	11.86%	-8.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.91%	16.90%	-11.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.28%	18.07%	-12.79%

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWEAX has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX'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

VWEAX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VWEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.36%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	6.25%	6.20%	5.79%	5.21%	3.49%	4.71%	5.33%	6.07%	5.39%	5.51%	6.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWEAX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VWEAX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWEAX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VWEAX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWEAX dropped -30.05% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.20), 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.