VWUSX vs. VPMCX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VWUSX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares) and VPMCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWUSX returned 19.17%/yr vs 18.59%/yr for VPMCX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - 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 PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). 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 VPMCX's 29.75% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWUSX having a 19.17% annualized return and VPMCX not far behind at 18.59%.

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%

VPMCX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 8.17%
• YTD: 29.75%
• 6M: 28.79%
• 1Y: 61.52%
• 3Y*: 28.65%
• 5Y*: 16.72%
• 10Y*: 18.59%

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

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - 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%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	29.75%	29.60%	13.23%	28.16%	-15.22%	21.64%	17.16%	27.78%	-1.99%	28.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VWUSX and VPMCX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 1984	0.86

The correlation between VWUSX and VPMCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWUSX	VPMCX
Technology	45.1%	28.9%
Communication Services	16.2%	7.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	11.8%
Healthcare	10.3%	25.1%
Industrials	5.6%	13.2%
Financial Services	5.5%	7.6%
Real Estate	1.3%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	1.1%
Utilities	0.5%	0.0%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.6%
Energy	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

VWUSX vs. VPMCX — 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

VPMCX

VPMCX Risk / Return Rank: 95
VPMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VPMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VPMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. VPMCX - 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 PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX). 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	VPMCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	3.59	-2.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	4.70	-3.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.64	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.62	5.37	-4.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.83	24.40	-22.58

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWUSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VPMCX Sharpe Ratio of 3.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWUSX and VPMCX, 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. VPMCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWUSX drawdown since its inception was -73.31%, which is greater than VPMCX's maximum drawdown of -50.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWUSX and VPMCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWUSX	VPMCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.31%	-50.45%	-22.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.15%	-11.73%	-7.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-20.56%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.18%	-25.25%	-16.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.18%	-32.65%	-9.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.60%	0.00%	-5.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.80%	-7.40%	-15.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.53%	2.58%	+3.95%

Volatility

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX) is 6.71%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) has a volatility of 8.32%. This indicates that VWUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWUSX	VPMCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	8.32%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.68%	14.71%	-1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	17.58%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.96%	18.54%	+8.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.71%	19.33%	+5.38%

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VWUSX and VPMCX have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

VWUSX vs. VPMCX - Dividend Comparison

VWUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.40%, less than VPMCX's 12.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	12.61%	16.36%	6.62%	7.16%	9.85%	10.08%	9.74%	7.15%	8.32%	4.53%	5.05%	5.91%
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 VPMCX in my portfolio?

VWUSX and VPMCX have a correlation of 0.70, 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 VPMCX?

VPMCX has higher volatility (8.32%) compared to VWUSX (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWUSX dropped -73.31% vs VPMCX's -50.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.59 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.