VIMAX vs VO: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares against Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 30, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VIMAX beat VO?
It was effectively a tie over the full overlap period (Jan 30, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026): $10,000 grew to $90,410 in VIMAX and $90,638 in VO, a difference of under 2%.
What would $10,000 in VIMAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) on Jan 30, 2004 would be worth about $90,410 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 804.1% (10.3% per year). The same $10,000 in VO would be worth $90,638.
Which was riskier — VIMAX or VO?
VIMAX swung with an annualized volatility of 20.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -58.9%; VO ran at 20.4% volatility with a -58.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.40 for VIMAX vs 0.41 for VO.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 30, 2004 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VIMAX vs VO. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.