VWLUX vs. VFIAX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWLUX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX).
VWLUX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 12, 2001. VFIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison
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VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VWLUX Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | -0.40% | 4.90% | 2.54% | 7.65% | -10.35% | 1.89% | 6.29% | 8.87% | 0.99% | 6.56% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | -4.35% | 17.83% | 24.97% | 26.24% | -18.16% | 28.65% | 18.32% | 31.46% | -4.45% | 21.78% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VWLUX achieves a -0.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's -4.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VWLUX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 2.62%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.04% annualized return.
VWLUX
- 1D
- 0.37%
- 1M
- -2.28%
- YTD
- -0.40%
- 6M
- 1.21%
- 1Y
- 4.08%
- 3Y*
- 3.82%
- 5Y*
- 1.18%
- 10Y*
- 2.62%
VFIAX
- 1D
- 2.92%
- 1M
- -5.03%
- YTD
- -4.35%
- 6M
- -2.16%
- 1Y
- 17.30%
- 3Y*
- 18.27%
- 5Y*
- 11.75%
- 10Y*
- 14.04%
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VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VWLUX has a 0.09% 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%.
Return for Risk
VWLUX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank
VWLUX
VFIAX
VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWLUX) 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.
| VWLUX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.84 | 0.97 | -0.14 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.14 | 1.49 | -0.35 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.23 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.01 | 1.52 | -0.51 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.17 | 7.29 | -4.13 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VWLUX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.84 | 0.97 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 | 0.70 | -0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 | 0.78 | -0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.97 | 0.44 | +0.54 |
Correlation
The correlation between VWLUX and VFIAX is -0.11. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Dividends
VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison
VWLUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, more than VFIAX's 1.18% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VWLUX Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | 3.78% | 4.61% | 4.08% | 3.17% | 3.00% | 2.70% | 3.32% | 3.91% | 3.58% | 3.80% | 4.09% | 3.87% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.18% | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.45% | 1.68% | 1.24% | 1.53% | 1.87% | 2.05% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Drawdowns
VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VWLUX drawdown since its inception was -15.94%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWLUX and VFIAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VWLUX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.94% | -55.20% | +39.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.36% | -12.12% | +6.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.94% | -24.53% | +8.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -15.94% | -33.83% | +17.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.54% | -6.24% | +3.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.09% | -9.46% | +7.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.71% | 2.52% | -0.81% |
Volatility
VWLUX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWLUX) is 1.24%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 5.35%. This indicates that VWLUX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VWLUX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 5.35% | -4.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.90% | 9.53% | -7.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.43% | 18.32% | -12.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.56% | 16.91% | -12.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.49% | 18.05% | -13.56% |