VDIGX vs VGHAX
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund Investor Class vs Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares
Which is better, VDIGX or VGHAX?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VDIGX has a lower expense ratio. VGHAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VDIGX | VGHAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20%Best | 0.27% |
| AUM | $35.5B | $32.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 23.10% | 6.15% |
| Holdings | 62 | 109 |
| YTD Price Return | -3.32% | +2.88%Best |
| 1Y Price Return | -13.62% | +16.90%Best |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | -2.91% | +0.79%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | -3.41% | -2.33%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.6%Best | -32.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,407 | $8,888Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 1992 | Nov 12, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for VDIGX or VGHAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VDIGX yields 23.10% and VGHAX 6.15% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2021 to Sep 22, 2026 (5 years).
VDIGX vs VGHAX growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5 years both funds cover. Prices exclude distributions, on both funds alike.
VDIGX vs VGHAX Performance
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund Investor Class (VDIGX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VDIGX returned -13.62% while VGHAX returned +16.90%. Year to date, VDIGX is down 3.32% versus a gain of 2.88% for VGHAX.
Over three years, VDIGX compounded at -2.91% per year against +0.79% for VGHAX; over five years the annualized figures are -3.41% and -2.33% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VDIGX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.3% for VGHAX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.6% for VDIGX and -32.7% for VGHAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VDIGX charges 0.20% per year while VGHAX charges 0.27%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $27 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VDIGX currently yields 23.10% against 6.15% for VGHAX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 14.6% of VDIGX's money is in holdings VGHAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VGHAX, our book for it covers 92.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VDIGX and VGHAX share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in VDIGX and 77 in VGHAX, against full books of 62 and 109.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VDIGX and VGHAX you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VDIGX or VGHAX?
VDIGX has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VGHAX charges 0.27%. VDIGX is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VDIGX or VGHAX?
Over the past year VDIGX returned -13.62% vs +16.90% for VGHAX, so VGHAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VDIGX or VGHAX?
VDIGX has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VGHAX. Worst drawdown: VDIGX -32.6% vs VGHAX -32.7%.
Should I hold both VDIGX and VGHAX?
VDIGX and VGHAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VDIGX and VGHAX?
At least 14.6% of VDIGX's money is in holdings VGHAX also owns. Our book for VGHAX is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in VDIGX and 77 in VGHAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, VDIGX or VGHAX?
VDIGX yields 23.10% while VGHAX yields 6.15%, so VDIGX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGHAX better than VDIGX?
VDIGX has a lower expense ratio. VGHAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.