VWUAX vs. VTCAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWUAX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares) and VTCAX (Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VWUAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWUAX returned 16.02%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for VTCAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWUAX charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VTCAX.

Performance

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWUAX achieves a 3.27% return, which is significantly higher than VTCAX's -1.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VWUAX has outperformed VTCAX with an annualized return of 16.02%, while VTCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.31% annualized return.

VWUAX

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: 4.41%
• YTD: 3.27%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 15.41%
• 3Y*: 21.80%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 16.02%

VTCAX

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -2.50%
• YTD: -1.43%
• 6M: -0.49%
• 1Y: 19.27%
• 3Y*: 24.04%
• 5Y*: 7.63%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

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

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	3.27%	15.49%	31.79%	45.32%	-39.58%	2.43%	58.80%	48.42%	0.77%	31.26%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	-1.43%	26.28%	33.10%	44.73%	-38.78%	14.09%	28.95%	28.03%	-16.51%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VWUAX and VTCAX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.76

The correlation between VWUAX and VTCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWUAX	VTCAX
Technology	45.1%	1.2%
Communication Services	16.2%	98.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	0.2%
Healthcare	10.3%	0.0%
Industrials	5.6%	0.0%
Financial Services	5.5%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Energy	-	-

Return for Risk

VWUAX vs. VTCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWUAX

VWUAX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VWUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
VWUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
VWUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VWUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VWUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

VTCAX

VTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 21
VTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VWUAX	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.34	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	2.01	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.24	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	1.52	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.51	5.76	-3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is comparable to the VTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWUAX and VTCAX, 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

	VWUAX	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	1.34	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.36	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.44	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.42	-0.01

Drawdowns

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWUAX drawdown since its inception was -50.37%, smaller than the maximum VTCAX drawdown of -57.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWUAX and VTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWUAX	VTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.37%	-57.11%	+6.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.12%	-13.56%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-21.19%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.17%	-46.58%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.17%	-46.58%	-3.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.22%	-4.78%	+2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.82%	-11.89%	-0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.42%	3.56%	+2.86%

Volatility

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) have volatilities of 4.05% and 4.23%, 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

	VWUAX	VTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	4.23%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	11.14%	+1.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	15.40%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.93%	21.24%	+3.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.71%	21.00%	+2.71%

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWUAX has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCAX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWUAX vs. VTCAX - Dividend Comparison

VWUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.20%, more than VTCAX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.00%	0.95%	1.06%	1.04%	0.88%	1.20%	0.73%	0.89%	2.77%	3.84%	2.68%	3.55%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	9.20%	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 VWUAX and VTCAX in my portfolio?

VWUAX and VTCAX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWUAX or VTCAX?

VTCAX has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to VWUAX (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWUAX dropped -50.37% vs VTCAX's -57.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 0.97), 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.