I get a lot of questions about which Vanguard Admiral Fund is the best investment. I’ve covered a comparison of many of Vanguard’s most popular funds.
Today we will compare VIGAX vs VFIAX and help you determine which is best for you.
I also share how you can take advantage of these two funds to get a higher return and pay fewer taxes!
VIGAX vs VFIAX
The primary difference between Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) is the target index fund they desire to track. VIGAX tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, which focuses on large-capitalization growth stocks.
VFIAX aims to track the S&P 500 Index, which makes it a great core equity holding in a portfolio.
VIGAX Overview
- Fund Inception: 2000
- 10-Year Performance 12.37%
- Aims For Growth
- Expense Ratio: 0.05%
- Number Of Stocks: 277
- Top 10 Holdings: 44.40%
- Yield 0.93%
Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) is the admiral version of the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
The fund has $104 billion in total net assets.
VIGAX comprises Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Tesla, but it also provides exposure to over 200 stocks.
VFIAX Overview
- Fund Inception: 2000
- 10-Year Performance 11.66%
- Aims For Diversification
- Expense Ratio: 0.04%
- Number Of Stocks: 509
- Top 10 Holdings: 27.00%
- Yield 2.21%
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) is the admiral version of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO).
The fund has $496 billion in total net assets.
VFIAX comprises Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Berkshire, but it also provides exposure to over 500 stocks.
Investing Tips
Now that we have seen the differences and similarities, we can go into how to use this information to our advantage.
We will do this by analyzing two factors:
- How Volatility Affects Performance
- How Taxes Affect Long-Term Returns
Volatility and Performance
VIGAX focuses on large growth companies like Google, Tesla, and Amazon. This focus has resulted in higher performance results over the last 10 years. The downside to a growth strategy is higher volatility.
Growth stocks can offer significantly higher performance for those willing to stomach more of a “rollercoaster ride” in the market.
This is based on past performance, which is not an indicator of future results but can give us an idea of how the fund might perform.
Here is a comparison of the performance of VIGAX vs VFIAX:
So usually, growth stocks offer higher performance returns but at a trade-off of higher volatility. In general, the relationship is as follows:
- Smoother Ride = Lower Returns
- Bumpier Ride = Higher Returns
You can use this information to meet your investment goals as an investor.
Tax Drag Effect On A Portfolio
There is also a significant difference between the dividend yield of VIGAX and VFIAX. Growth stocks don’t usually pay out dividends because they focus on reinvesting that money into the business. You can use this to your advantage if you invest in a taxable account.
This is how their dividend yield compares:
- VIGAX Dividend Yield = 0.93%
- VFIAX Dividend Yield = 2.21%
In a taxable account, dividends are taxed at varying rates. This results in a “tax drag” on your portfolio, which is a reduction of potential income because of taxation.
If you are investing in a taxable account, you can lower your portfolio's “tax drag” by investing in funds that pay fewer dividends. This makes VIGAX an excellent option for those looking to pay fewer taxes.
Example:
- A $10,000 investment in VIGAX results in $93/year in dividends. Taxed at 20% equals a yearly tax bill of $18.60.
- A $10,000 investment in VFIAX results in $221/year in dividends. Taxed at 20% equals a yearly tax bill of $44.20.
Investing in VIGAX in this scenario will save you $25.60 each year in taxes for every $10,000 that is invested. This difference in tax drag each year can significantly impact long-term performance, especially with larger portfolios.
Here is how that $25.60 can compound over 40 years:
The calculator shows that a small amount of $25.60 can compound to $5,468!
Now imagine if you have a portfolio of $100,000 or even $500,000. The tax drag on a large portfolio can add up over the years.
So if you are planning to invest in a taxable account, I would strongly recommend considering your investment choice's tax drag.
I mainly invest in VUG (VIGAX’s ETF equivalent) within my taxable account.
Which is Better VIGAX or VFIAX?
VIGAX and VFIAX are both very good investments depending on your investment goals. They are both Admiral Shares Funds with very low expense ratios.
However, for the reasons I stated above, I prefer VIGAX.
I can handle the higher volatility that comes with growth stocks. I’m also investing in a taxable account, so I look for funds with low yields to minimize taxes. You can consider VFIAX if you prefer to invest in a fund with more diversification.
VIGAX and VFIAX can get you to Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE). They both have rock-bottom expense ratios (0.05% & 0.04%).
So, either option is an excellent investment for financial independence.