VWNEX vs. VGSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWNEX (Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares) and VGSTX (Vanguard STAR Fund) are both mutual funds - VWNEX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VGSTX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWNEX returned 11.87%/yr vs 9.65%/yr for VGSTX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWNEX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for VGSTX.

Performance

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares (VWNEX) and Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWNEX achieves a 7.41% return, which is significantly higher than VGSTX's 6.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VWNEX has outperformed VGSTX with an annualized return of 11.87%, while VGSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.65% annualized return.

VWNEX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 7.41%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 14.32%
• 5Y*: 9.32%
• 10Y*: 11.87%

VGSTX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: 6.45%
• 6M: 7.04%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 6.81%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

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

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWNEX Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares	7.41%	13.40%	9.64%	15.11%	-3.05%	27.92%	7.45%	30.53%	-12.39%	18.19%
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	6.45%	15.88%	13.69%	17.14%	-18.05%	9.65%	21.45%	22.21%	-5.33%	16.95%

Correlation

The correlation between VWNEX and VGSTX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.87

The correlation between VWNEX and VGSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWNEX vs. VGSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWNEX

VWNEX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VWNEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VWNEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VWNEX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VWNEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VWNEX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VGSTX

VGSTX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VGSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VGSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VGSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VGSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VGSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares (VWNEX) and Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX). 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.

	VWNEX	VGSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.21	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	3.16	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.41	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	2.77	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.17	12.06	-1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWNEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the VGSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWNEX and VGSTX, 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

	VWNEX	VGSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	2.21	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.58	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.82	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.81	-0.39

Drawdowns

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWNEX drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, which is greater than VGSTX's maximum drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWNEX and VGSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWNEX	VGSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-38.62%	-22.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-6.76%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.72%	-11.77%	-9.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.72%	-25.55%	+3.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.12%	-25.55%	-14.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.85%	-4.03%	-5.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	1.55%	+0.67%

Volatility

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares (VWNEX) has a higher volatility of 2.92% compared to Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) at 2.46%. This indicates that VWNEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWNEX	VGSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	2.46%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.83%	6.69%	+2.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	8.47%	+3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	11.82%	+5.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.64%	11.83%	+7.81%

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWNEX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VGSTX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWNEX vs. VGSTX - Dividend Comparison

VWNEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.35%, less than VGSTX's 8.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	8.57%	9.13%	10.67%	5.35%	8.34%	6.70%	6.68%	6.07%	6.90%	3.32%	4.77%	5.62%
VWNEX Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares	7.35%	7.90%	12.60%	8.34%	15.50%	11.57%	8.47%	10.36%	13.30%	3.56%	4.99%	8.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWNEX and VGSTX in my portfolio?

VWNEX and VGSTX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWNEX or VGSTX?

VWNEX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to VGSTX (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWNEX dropped -61.41% vs VGSTX's -38.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.85), 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.