VWILX vs. VWUAX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VWILX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares) and VWUAX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VWILX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VWUAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWILX returned 9.58%/yr vs 14.86%/yr for VWUAX. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VWILX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VWUAX.

Performance

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) and Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWILX achieves a 6.47% return, which is significantly higher than VWUAX's -2.88% return. Over the past 10 years, VWILX has underperformed VWUAX with an annualized return of 9.58%, while VWUAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.86% annualized return.

VWILX

• 1D: 2.67%
• 1M: 0.92%
• 6M: 2.97%
• YTD: 6.47%
• 1Y: 14.71%
• 3Y*: 10.32%
• 5Y*: -1.58%
• 10Y*: 9.58%
• ALL TIME*: 7.47%

VWUAX

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: -0.35%
• YTD: -2.88%
• 1Y: 2.46%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 14.86%
• ALL TIME*: 8.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.47%	20.08%	9.18%	14.80%	-30.80%	-12.81%	59.77%	31.50%	-12.58%	43.17%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	-2.88%	15.49%	31.79%	45.32%	-39.58%	2.43%	58.80%	48.42%	0.77%	31.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VWILX and VWUAX is 0.80, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2001	0.76

The correlation between VWILX and VWUAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWILX	VWUAX
Technology	27.5%	44.7%
Consumer Cyclical	17.5%	12.4%
Industrials	13.5%	5.2%
Financial Services	12.2%	6.1%
Healthcare	11.7%	10.3%
Communication Services	6.2%	16.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	1.3%
Basic Materials	2.6%	0.4%
Energy	1.9%	-
Utilities	0.5%	0.5%
Real Estate	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

VWILX vs. VWUAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VWILX

VWILX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VWILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VWILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VWILX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VWILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VWILX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VWUAX

VWUAX Risk / Return Rank: 5
VWUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
VWUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) and Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). 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.

	VWILX	VWUAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	0.03	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	0.17	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.02	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	0.03	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.76	0.09	+2.67

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWILX Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is higher than the VWUAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWILX and VWUAX, 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

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWILX drawdown since its inception was -59.49%, which is greater than VWUAX's maximum drawdown of -50.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWILX and VWUAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWILX	VWUAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.49%	-50.37%	-9.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.06%	-19.12%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.02%	-25.01%	+4.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.56%	-50.17%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.08%	-50.17%	-3.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.48%	-8.05%	-6.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.09%	-12.77%	-2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.38%	6.78%	-2.40%

Volatility

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) and Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) have volatilities of 5.05% and 5.29%, 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

	VWILX	VWUAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	5.29%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.95%	14.35%	+1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.26%	18.17%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.61%	25.11%	-1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.64%	23.79%	-2.15%

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWILX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VWUAX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWILX vs. VWUAX - Dividend Comparison

VWILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.47%, less than VWUAX's 9.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.47%	6.89%	9.81%	1.92%	7.03%	0.36%	2.38%	1.30%	5.52%	0.84%	1.42%	1.53%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	9.78%	9.50%	4.70%	0.37%	0.49%	3.60%	4.00%	13.28%	9.80%	4.63%	1.67%	9.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWILX and VWUAX in my portfolio?

VWILX and VWUAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWILX or VWUAX?

VWUAX has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VWILX (5.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWILX dropped -59.49% vs VWUAX's -50.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWILX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.03), 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.