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. VDIGX is less concentrated, with 38.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.6%.
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 | $34.9B | $34.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 2.70% |
| Holdings | 60 | 109 |
| YTD Price Return | -1.43% | -0.39%Best |
| 1Y Price Return | -11.53% | +7.17%Best |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | -2.23% | -0.49%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | -3.25% | -2.58%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.6%Best | -32.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,477 | $8,775Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.6%Best | 40.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 1992 | Nov 12, 2001 |
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 1.65% and VGHAX 2.70% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 15, 2021 to Oct 13, 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 -11.53% while VGHAX returned +7.17%. Year to date, VDIGX is down 1.43% versus a loss of 0.39% for VGHAX.
Over three years, VDIGX compounded at -2.23% per year against -0.49% for VGHAX; over five years the annualized figures are -3.25% and -2.58% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VDIGX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 1.65% against 2.70% for VGHAX.
Holdings Overlap
17.4% of VDIGX's money is in holdings VGHAX also owns. 28.3% of VGHAX's money is in holdings VDIGX also owns.
VGHAX and VDIGX share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in VDIGX and 83 in VGHAX, against full books of 60 and 109.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 48 positions for VGHAX that do not appear in our book for VDIGX (44.8% of the fund), and 46 for VDIGX that do not appear in VGHAX (76.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VDIGX | Weight in VGHAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.70% | 8.61% | 3.91% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.68% | 5.44% | 2.76% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.82% | 4.83% | 3.01% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 1.94% | 2.18% | 0.24% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 1.34% | 1.83% | 0.49% |
| SYKStryker Corp | 2.05% | 0.93% | 1.12% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.49% | 2.30% | 1.81% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.47% | 0.99% | 0.48% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.96% | 1.15% | 0.19% |
28.3% of VGHAX is already inside VDIGX.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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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 -11.53% vs +7.17% 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 15.8% 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?
28.3% of VGHAX's money is in holdings VDIGX also owns. 28.3% of VGHAX's is in holdings VDIGX also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in VDIGX and 83 in VGHAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, VDIGX or VGHAX?
VDIGX yields 1.65% while VGHAX yields 2.70%, so VGHAX 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. VDIGX is less concentrated, with 38.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.