
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral VFIAX fund is a popular choice among investors. It tracks the S&P 500 Index, which includes 500 of the largest and most liquid stocks in the US market.
The fund has a low expense ratio of 0.04%, making it an attractive option for those looking to save on fees. This low cost is due in part to Vanguard's business model, which prioritizes low costs over high profits.
One of the key benefits of VFIAX is its broad diversification, which helps to reduce risk and increase potential returns. By investing in a fund that tracks the S&P 500, you'll gain exposure to a wide range of industries and sectors.
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About Vfiax
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral (VFIAX) is a passively managed U.S. Equity Large Blend fund launched by Vanguard in 2000.
The fund seeks to track the performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, which measures the investment return of large-capitalization stocks. This index is a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock market performance.
VFIAX employs an indexing investment approach designed to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.
The fund is non-diversified, meaning it invests in a wide range of stocks, but doesn't try to balance out the risks by spreading them across different asset classes.
The fund has a low expense ratio of 0.04%, which is 95% lower than its category average, making it an attractive option for investors looking to save on fees.
Here are the top 10 holdings of VFIAX as of the end of 2024:
The fund's portfolio turnover rate is low at 2%, indicating that it holds its assets for around 0.5 years, which can help reduce trading costs and fees.
Performance and Fees
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has an expense ratio of 0.04%, which is 95% lower than its category average, making it a very cost-effective option.
This low expense ratio earns the fund an A grade, indicating it's among the top performers in its category.
High portfolio turnover can lead to higher expenses and lower returns, but Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has a portfolio turnover rate of just 2%, which is significantly lower than the average 44% for the Large Blend category.
In December 2024, the fund returned -2.4%, earning it a B grade, which is a respectable performance considering the Large Blend category average return was -3.2%.
Fees and Expenses
The fees and expenses associated with the Vanguard 500 Index Admiral fund are remarkably low, with an expense ratio of 0.04%. This is 95% lower than the Large Blend category average, earning it an A grade.
High portfolio turnover can lead to higher expenses and lower after-tax returns, but Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has a turnover rate of just 2%. For comparison, the average portfolio turnover for the Large Blend category is 44%.
The fund's expense ratio is made up of various components, including the expense ratio, management fee, and 12b-1 fee. The expense ratio accounts for 0.04% of the fund's assets, while the management fee also accounts for 0.04%. The 12b-1 fee is not applicable to this fund, as it is listed as N/A.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's fees and expenses:
These fees and expenses are significantly lower than those found in other investment categories, making Vanguard 500 Index Admiral an attractive option for investors looking to minimize their costs.
Investment Details
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has 507 securities in its portfolio, which is a significant number of stocks.
The fund's top 10 holdings constitute 34.8% of the fund's assets, indicating a high concentration of investments in these stocks.
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has 0.6% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues, while 99.4% is allocated to domestic stock.
The fund's bond allocation is 0.0%, indicating that it is primarily a stock-based investment.
Here are the top 10 holdings of the Vanguard 500 Index Admiral (as of end of year 2024):
Fund Details
The Vanguard 500 Index Fund has a legal name of Vanguard 500 Index Fund and is a part of the Vanguard fund family.
The fund's inception date was June 24, 2016, making it a relatively recent addition to the market.
The fund's shares are outstanding, but the exact number is not provided.
The fund's share class is Admiral, and it's denominated in USD, with the United States being its domiciled country.
Donald Butler is the manager of the fund.
Net Income Ratio
Net Income Ratio is a key metric in evaluating the financial health of an investment. VFIAX, the Vanguard 500 Index Fund, has a Net Income Ratio of 1.35%.
This ratio is significantly lower than the Category High of 2.44%, indicating that VFIAX generates relatively less income from its net income. In fact, VFIAX's Net Income Ratio is lower than the Category Low of -54.00%, which suggests that the fund's income generation is not as strong as some of its peers.
Here's a comparison of VFIAX's Net Income Ratio to its category:
VFIAX's Net Income Ratio ranks 11.61% in its category, indicating that it's relatively better than most funds in terms of net income generation.
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Performance Metrics
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral fund has an expense ratio of 0.04%, which is significantly lower than its category average, earning it an A grade.
This low expense ratio is a major advantage for investors, as it means you get to keep more of your returns. High annual expense ratios can eat into your gains and make it harder to reach your financial goals.
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has a portfolio turnover rate of 2%, which is very low compared to its category average of 44%. This low turnover rate is a sign of a well-managed fund that's not constantly buying and selling securities.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's performance metrics:
The fund's returns have been impressive, with a 25.0% return in 2024 and a 26.2% return in 2023. However, it's worth noting that the fund has also had some down years, such as a -18.1% return in 2022.
Portfolio Composition
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has a large portfolio with a significant amount of assets under management, totaling $1.37 trillion.
The fund holds 515 stocks, which is a relatively small number compared to other funds in its category, which can hold up to 3963 stocks.
The top 10 holdings in the portfolio account for a substantial 34.59% of the total assets, with a net asset value of $442 billion.
Here's a breakdown of the top sectors in the portfolio:
These sectors have the highest weightings in the portfolio and are likely to have a significant impact on the fund's performance.
Concentration
Concentration is a key aspect of portfolio composition, and it's essential to understand how it affects your investments. A concentrated portfolio means holding a smaller number of stocks, which can be beneficial if you have in-depth knowledge of the companies and their performance.
The table below illustrates the concentration of VFIAX, a popular investment fund, compared to its category peers.
The number of holdings in VFIAX is relatively high, with 515 stocks in the portfolio. This is significantly higher than the Category Low, which has only 2 holdings.
Stock Sector Breakdown
When building a diversified portfolio, it's essential to understand the sector breakdown of your investments. The largest sector in the portfolio is Technology, making up 24.46% of the total.
The Technology sector has a return range of 0.00% to 48.94%, with a VFIAX % Rank of 46.24%. This indicates that the Technology sector has performed relatively well compared to the overall market.
The Healthcare sector is the second-largest, accounting for 14.48% of the portfolio. It has a return range of 0.00% to 52.29% and a VFIAX % Rank of 46.32%.
The Financial Services sector is also a significant portion of the portfolio, making up 13.37%. It has a return range of 0.00% to 55.59% and a VFIAX % Rank of 54.18%.
Here's a breakdown of the sector weights in the portfolio:
These sector weights can help you understand the overall composition of your portfolio and make informed decisions about future investments.
Dividend Yield
The dividend yield of a fund is a crucial factor to consider when evaluating its potential for generating income. In the case of VFIAX, the dividend yield is 1.29%.
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One of the key things to note is that VFIAX's dividend yield is significantly lower than the category high of 25.47%. This suggests that VFIAX may not be the best choice for investors seeking high dividend income.
However, it's worth noting that VFIAX's dividend yield is still higher than the category low of 0.00%. This indicates that the fund does provide some level of dividend income, even if it's not the highest in its category.
Here's a comparison of VFIAX's dividend yield to its category peers:
Keep in mind that a higher dividend yield doesn't always mean a better investment. It's essential to consider other factors, such as the fund's overall performance and risk level, before making a decision.
Dividend Information
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has a dividend yield of 1.29%. This is a relatively low yield compared to other investments, but it's still a notable aspect of the fund's performance.
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The fund's dividend yield puts it right in the middle of its category, ranking 46.59% among its peers. This suggests that the fund's dividend yield is in line with what you'd expect from a typical investment in this category.
If you're looking for a fund with a high dividend yield, you might want to consider looking elsewhere. However, if you're interested in a low-cost, diversified investment with a relatively stable dividend yield, the Vanguard 500 Index Admiral could be a good choice.
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Dividend Distribution
Dividend Distribution is a crucial aspect of dividend investing. The frequency of dividend distributions can vary significantly among funds.
For instance, VFIAX distributes dividends quarterly. This means investors can expect to receive dividend payments four times a year.
On the other hand, some funds may distribute dividends annually, while others may have a more complex distribution schedule.
Capital Gain Distribution
Capital Gain Distribution is an important aspect of dividend investing, and it's essential to understand how it works.
VFIAX, a popular investment option, distributes capital gains annually.
Some funds, such as those in the Category Low, also distribute capital gains annually.
However, others in the Category High may distribute capital gains semi-annually.
Here's a breakdown of the capital gain distribution frequencies for different investment options:
Ratings and Grades
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has received a grade of B for its year-to-date performance, which is 3.5 percentage points better than its category.
The fund has consistently received high grades over the past few years, with a grade of B for the past year and 8.9% return, a grade of B for the past three years with an 8.9% return, and a grade of A for both the past five years with a 14.5% return and the past 10 years with a 13.1% return.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's grades over the past few years:
The fund's performance has been remarkable, with a 25.0% return in the past year and a 14.5% return over the past five years, both of which are significantly higher than its category average.
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Future Outlook
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral is an excellent investment option, and its future outlook is looking bright. With a long history of success, this fund has consistently delivered returns that beat the market average.
The fund's low expense ratio of 0.04% makes it an attractive option for long-term investors who want to minimize their fees. This means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money.
The fund's broad diversification across the S&P 500 index provides a stable foundation for your investment portfolio. By spreading your investments across 500 large-cap stocks, you're reducing your risk and increasing your potential for long-term growth.
With a minimum investment requirement of $3,000, the Vanguard 500 Index Admiral is accessible to investors with a relatively small amount of capital. This makes it a great option for those just starting out or looking to add to their existing portfolio.
The fund's ability to track the S&P 500 index means you'll get a share of the market's overall performance. This can be a great way to benefit from the growth of the US economy over time.
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Morningstar Information
The Vanguard 500 Index Admiral has an expense ratio of 0.04%, which is 95% lower than its category average.
This low expense ratio is one of the reasons why the fund is a great choice for investors. Its expense ratio grade is an A, which means it's in the highest 20% of funds in the Large Blend category.
The fund's portfolio turnover rate is also remarkably low, at just 2%. This means that Vanguard 500 Index Admiral holds its assets for around 0.5 years, which can help keep expenses low and returns high.
In December 2024, the fund returned -2.4%, which earned it a grade of B. This is actually better than the average return for the Large Blend category, which was -3.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 500 index Admiral the same as S&P 500?
The Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares is not the S&P 500 itself, but rather a fund that tracks the S&P 500 index, investing in the largest 500 U.S. stocks. This fund allows you to invest in the S&P 500 market index through a single investment.
What does admiral shares mean at Vanguard?
Admiral Shares at Vanguard are a lower-fee share class available in select mutual funds, requiring a minimum investment. They offer a cost-effective option for investors seeking to reduce expenses.
Is there any advantage of getting Vanguard admiral shares?
Yes, Admiral Shares offer lower expense ratios compared to other investment options, making investing more affordable for everyone. On average, they are 52% lower than Vanguard's standard Investor Shares and 72% lower than the industry average.
Sources
- https://www.morningstar.com/funds/xnas/vfiax/quote
- https://www.aaii.com/fund/ticker/VFIAX
- https://www.justetf.com/en/etf-profile.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/111215/vanguard-total-stock-index-vs-vanguard-500-index-fund.asp
- https://www.dividend.com/funds/vfiax-vanguard-500-index-admiral/
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