VWUSX vs. VHCAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VWUSX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares) and VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWUSX returned 19.17%/yr vs 18.16%/yr for VHCAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWUSX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VHCAX.

Performance

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWUSX achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly lower than VHCAX's 28.29% return. Over the past 10 years, VWUSX has outperformed VHCAX with an annualized return of 19.17%, while VHCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 18.16% annualized return.

VWUSX

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: -1.88%
• YTD: -0.33%
• 6M: -1.64%
• 1Y: 10.56%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 19.17%

VHCAX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 8.35%
• YTD: 28.29%
• 6M: 26.78%
• 1Y: 57.13%
• 3Y*: 27.20%
• 5Y*: 14.60%
• 10Y*: 18.16%

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

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	-0.33%	15.39%	31.65%	45.17%	-39.64%	35.76%	58.63%	45.61%	0.65%	31.11%
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	28.29%	25.83%	14.07%	25.63%	-17.56%	20.92%	22.83%	27.30%	-3.71%	28.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VWUSX and VHCAX 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	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.90

The correlation between VWUSX and VHCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWUSX	VHCAX
Technology	45.1%	33.1%
Communication Services	16.2%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	9.8%
Healthcare	10.3%	24.9%
Industrials	5.6%	10.7%
Financial Services	5.5%	8.2%
Real Estate	1.3%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	0.9%
Utilities	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.4%
Energy	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

VWUSX vs. VHCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWUSX

VWUSX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VWUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VWUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VWUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VWUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VWUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VHCAX

VHCAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
VHCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VHCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VHCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VHCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VHCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) and Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX). 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.

	VWUSX	VHCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	3.17	-2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	4.15	-3.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.56	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.62	4.71	-4.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.83	20.79	-18.96

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWUSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VHCAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWUSX and VHCAX, 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

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWUSX drawdown since its inception was -73.31%, which is greater than VHCAX's maximum drawdown of -54.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWUSX and VHCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWUSX	VHCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.31%	-54.27%	-19.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-12.42%	-6.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-23.92%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.18%	-27.55%	-14.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.18%	-33.78%	-8.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.60%	0.00%	-5.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.80%	-8.39%	-14.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.53%	2.81%	+3.72%

Volatility

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) is 6.71%, while Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a volatility of 8.40%. This indicates that VWUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWUSX	VHCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	8.40%	-1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.68%	15.51%	-1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	18.49%	-0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.96%	20.09%	+6.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.71%	20.45%	+4.26%

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWUSX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than VHCAX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWUSX vs. VHCAX - Dividend Comparison

VWUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.40%, more than VHCAX's 7.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	7.57%	9.71%	8.24%	2.40%	9.35%	10.55%	9.19%	6.48%	12.23%	3.87%	5.74%	5.39%
VWUSX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares	9.40%	9.37%	4.60%	0.28%	0.37%	30.03%	3.90%	11.66%	9.65%	4.63%	1.52%	8.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWUSX and VHCAX in my portfolio?

VWUSX and VHCAX 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, VWUSX or VHCAX?

VHCAX has higher volatility (8.40%) compared to VWUSX (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWUSX dropped -73.31% vs VHCAX's -54.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.17 vs 0.68), 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.