VWELX vs. WGROX

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) and WGROX (Wasatch Core Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VWELX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while WGROX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Wasatch. Over the past 10 years, VWELX returned 9.74%/yr vs 10.84%/yr for WGROX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWELX charges 0.24%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for WGROX.

Performance

VWELX vs. WGROX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VWELX having a 5.15% return and WGROX slightly higher at 5.21%. Over the past 10 years, VWELX has underperformed WGROX with an annualized return of 9.74%, while WGROX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.84% annualized return.

VWELX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 4.49%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 1Y: 14.17%
• 3Y*: 13.78%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: 9.74%
• ALL TIME*: 9.39%

WGROX

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: -1.84%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 1Y: -1.48%
• 3Y*: 5.82%
• 5Y*: 1.27%
• 10Y*: 10.84%
• ALL TIME*: 11.08%

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

VWELX vs. WGROX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	5.21%	-10.37%	13.13%	33.43%	-30.86%	20.76%	36.73%	33.31%	-3.75%	24.29%

Correlation

The correlation between VWELX and WGROX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 1986	0.71

The correlation between VWELX and WGROX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWELX vs. WGROX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

WGROX

WGROX Risk / Return Rank: 2
WGROX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
WGROX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
WGROX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

VWELX vs. WGROX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX). 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.

	VWELX	WGROX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	-0.11	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	-0.02	+2.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.00	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	-0.14	+2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	-0.36	+9.69

VWELX vs. WGROX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWELX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the WGROX Sharpe Ratio of -0.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWELX and WGROX, 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

VWELX vs. WGROX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWELX drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, smaller than the maximum WGROX drawdown of -61.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWELX and WGROX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWELX	WGROX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-61.61%	+25.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.78%	-15.58%	+8.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-27.61%	+15.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-40.16%	+19.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	-40.16%	+14.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-14.65%	+12.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-9.91%	+5.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	6.14%	-4.60%

Volatility

VWELX vs. WGROX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) is 2.58%, while Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX) has a volatility of 5.79%. This indicates that VWELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WGROX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWELX	WGROX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	5.79%	-3.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.52%	14.75%	-7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.07%	19.67%	-10.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.24%	23.12%	-11.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.53%	23.31%	-11.78%

VWELX vs. WGROX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWELX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than WGROX's 1.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWELX vs. WGROX - Dividend Comparison

VWELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.00%, more than WGROX's 8.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	8.13%	8.55%	9.22%	0.00%	0.71%	16.82%	7.21%	10.73%	10.14%	6.24%	0.15%	12.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWELX and WGROX in my portfolio?

VWELX and WGROX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWELX or WGROX?

WGROX has higher volatility (5.79%) compared to VWELX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWELX dropped -36.12% vs WGROX's -61.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs -0.11), 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.