WAGSX vs. VFINX

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

WAGSX (Wasatch Global Select Fund) and VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - WAGSX is a Global Equities fund managed by Wasatch, while VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, WAGSX returned -2.09%/yr vs 12.88%/yr for VFINX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WAGSX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFINX.

Performance

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Global Select Fund (WAGSX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAGSX achieves a 0.90% return, which is significantly lower than VFINX's 10.39% return.

WAGSX

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.16%
• 6M: -1.43%
• YTD: 0.90%
• 1Y: -5.78%
• 3Y*: 4.08%
• 5Y*: -2.09%
• 10Y*: —

VFINX

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 1.20%
• 6M: 8.47%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 1Y: 21.16%
• 3Y*: 20.03%
• 5Y*: 12.88%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

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

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
WAGSX Wasatch Global Select Fund	0.90%	1.74%	0.50%	27.77%	-33.10%	7.95%	34.68%	9.40%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	10.39%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	9.04%

Correlation

The correlation between WAGSX and VFINX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2019	0.84

The correlation between WAGSX and VFINX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WAGSX vs. VFINX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAGSX

WAGSX Risk / Return Rank: 2
WAGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
WAGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
WAGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
WAGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
WAGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Global Select Fund (WAGSX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). 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.

	WAGSX	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.37	1.71	-2.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.44	2.35	-2.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.31	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.33	2.40	-2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.77	10.53	-11.31

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAGSX Sharpe Ratio is -0.37, which is lower than the VFINX Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAGSX and VFINX, 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

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAGSX drawdown since its inception was -43.62%, smaller than the maximum VFINX drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAGSX and VFINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAGSX	VFINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.62%	-55.25%	+11.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.51%	-8.92%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.11%	-18.76%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.62%	-24.59%	-19.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.49%	-1.12%	-17.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.75%	-8.27%	-9.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.41%	2.03%	+5.38%

Volatility

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Volatility Comparison

Wasatch Global Select Fund (WAGSX) has a higher volatility of 4.21% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) at 3.97%. This indicates that WAGSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WAGSX	VFINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	3.97%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.66%	10.00%	+2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.35%	12.57%	+2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.71%	17.01%	+2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	18.05%	+2.98%

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAGSX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VFINX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

WAGSX vs. VFINX - Dividend Comparison

WAGSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.96%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%
WAGSX Wasatch Global Select Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	12.65%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WAGSX and VFINX in my portfolio?

WAGSX and VFINX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WAGSX or VFINX?

WAGSX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to VFINX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WAGSX dropped -43.62% vs VFINX's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.37), 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.