VWNEX vs. VVIAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWNEX (Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares) and VVIAX (Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWNEX returned 11.79%/yr vs 12.46%/yr for VVIAX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VWNEX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VVIAX.

Performance

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWNEX achieves a 6.70% return, which is significantly lower than VVIAX's 12.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VWNEX has underperformed VVIAX with an annualized return of 11.79%, while VVIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.46% annualized return.

VWNEX

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 2.17%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 8.16%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 14.07%
• 5Y*: 9.11%
• 10Y*: 11.79%

VVIAX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 12.21%
• 6M: 13.06%
• 1Y: 26.79%
• 3Y*: 18.23%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 12.46%

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

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWNEX Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares	6.70%	13.40%	9.64%	15.11%	-3.05%	27.92%	7.45%	30.53%	-12.39%	18.19%
VVIAX Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.21%	15.27%	16.00%	9.22%	-2.07%	26.51%	2.29%	25.81%	-5.45%	17.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VWNEX and VVIAX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.96

The correlation between VWNEX and VVIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWNEX vs. VVIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWNEX

VWNEX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VWNEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VWNEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VWNEX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VWNEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VWNEX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VVIAX

VVIAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
VVIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VVIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VVIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VVIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VVIAX 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.

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares (VWNEX) and Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VVIAX). 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	VVIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.61	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	3.73	-1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.47	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	4.13	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.37	15.57	-6.21
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. VVIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWNEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the VVIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWNEX and VVIAX, 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	VVIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.61	-0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.81	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.75	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.42	0.00

Drawdowns

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWNEX drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, roughly equal to the maximum VVIAX drawdown of -59.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWNEX and VVIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWNEX	VVIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-59.32%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-6.36%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.72%	-14.39%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.72%	-17.14%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.12%	-36.80%	-3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.02%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.85%	-9.61%	-0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	1.69%	+0.53%

Volatility

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares (VWNEX) has a higher volatility of 2.92% compared to Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VVIAX) at 2.57%. This indicates that VWNEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VVIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWNEX	VVIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	2.57%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	7.59%	+1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	10.09%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	13.91%	+3.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.64%	16.74%	+2.90%

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWNEX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VVIAX's 0.05% 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

VWNEX vs. VVIAX - Dividend Comparison

VWNEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.40%, more than VVIAX's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VVIAX Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.85%	2.04%	2.30%	2.45%	2.51%	2.14%	2.55%	2.49%	2.72%	2.29%	2.45%	2.60%
VWNEX Vanguard Windsor Fund Admiral Shares	7.40%	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 VVIAX in my portfolio?

VWNEX and VVIAX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 VVIAX?

VWNEX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to VVIAX (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWNEX dropped -61.41% vs VVIAX's -59.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VVIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.70), 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.