VFIAX Stock: Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares Profile & Analysis (2026)
VFIAX is a legendary index mutual fund that tracks the S&P 500, offering low-cost exposure to the 500 largest companies in the United States. — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
The Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) is the gold standard for passive index investing. While many investors look for “vfiax stocks” thinking of it as an individual equity, it is actually a mutual fund that pools capital to replicate the S&P 500 Index. By holding VFIAX, you gain instant exposure to industry leaders across all major sectors, including the Complete List Of Semiconductor Companies Listed On U S Exchanges like NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Apple.
Since its inception as the first index fund for individual investors, this fund has prioritized low costs and broad market representation. It serves as a core holding for millions of retirement portfolios, encompassing everything from tech giants to the Complete List Of Food & Beverage Companies Listed On U S Exchanges. As a mutual fund, VFIAX differs from ETFs by pricing once per day at the market close, making it an ideal vehicle for disciplined, long-term wealth accumulation rather than active intraday trading.
Key Takeaways — VFIAX Stock
VFIAX mimics the S&P 500 almost perfectly, providing investors with the same returns as the broader US large-cap market minus a tiny fee.
As an Admiral Shares fund, it boasts an ultra-low expense ratio that keeps more money in the investor’s pocket compared to managed funds.
With 518 holdings, the fund mitigates individual company risk by spreading assets across technology, financials, and the Liquefied Natural Gas Shipping sector.
Features like automatic reinvestment and the ability to buy in specific dollar amounts make it superior for systematic contribution plans.
VFIAX — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView. Note: As a mutual fund, prices update once daily.
VFIAX ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | Ticker | VFIAX |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Asset Class | Equity / Large Blend |
| Index Tracked | S&P 500 Index (S&P 500 TR) | Structure | Mutual Fund (Admiral Shares) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | AUM | $658.6B |
| Inception Date | August 31, 1976 | Exchange | NASDAQ |
| No. of Holdings | 518 | Dividend Yield | 1.16% |
| 52-Week High | $702.57 | 52-Week Low | $548.86 |
| Avg Daily Volume | mutual fund | YTD Return | 11.24% |
| 1-Year Return | 29.72% | 5-Year Return | 14.10% |
| Category | Large Blend | Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
VFIAX Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | Information Technology | 7.31% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | Information Technology | 6.63% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | Information Technology | 4.96% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | 3.47% |
| 5 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc. Class A | Communication Services | 3.08% |
| 6 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc. | Information Technology | 2.56% |
| 7 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc. Class C | Communication Services | 2.46% |
| 8 | META | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Communication Services | 2.40% |
| 9 | TSLA | Tesla, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | 1.92% |
| 10 | BRK.B | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B | Financials | 1.57% |
VFIAX — Pros & Cons
✓ Low Tracking Error
Vanguard’s management ensures the fund stays tightly aligned with the S&P 500 Index returns.
✗ Daily Pricing Only
Unlike ETFs, mutual funds only trade once per day after the market closes, preventing intraday liquidity.
✓ Automatic Investing
Investors can set up recurring purchases of specific dollar amounts, a feature often easier with mutual funds than ETFs.
✗ Minimum Investment
VFIAX typically requires a $3,000 initial investment, which may be a barrier for new investors.
✓ Tax Efficiency
Vanguard uses a unique patented process to share the tax efficiency of its ETF class with its mutual fund class.
✗ Market Cap Weighting
The fund is heavily weighted toward the top 10 companies, meaning a downturn in Big Tech disproportionately affects performance.
Who Should Consider VFIAX?
Long-term investors, retirement savers (401k/IRA), and those using automated dollar-cost averaging.
Day traders, short-term speculators, or those seeking exposure to small-cap or international stocks.
You want a foundational “set it and forget it” investment that represents the core of the US economy.
Best held in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or 401ks, though Vanguard’s structure makes it efficient for taxable accounts too.
VFIAX vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFIAX ★ | Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.04% | $658.6B | 518 | 1.16% | 11.24% | Systematic Reinvesting |
| VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 0.03% | $1.1T+ | 505 | 1.30% | 11.25% | Intraday Trading |
| IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 0.03% | $450B+ | 500 | 1.32% | 11.26% | Low Cost Core |
| SPY | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | 0.0945% | $500B+ | 500 | 1.25% | 11.20% | Options/Liquidity |
VFIAX Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals. Note: Mutual funds reflect NAV daily.
VFIAX — Risks & Considerations
Market Risk
As a 100% equity fund, VFIAX is subject to significant price swings if the overall stock market declines.
Concentration Risk
The top 10 holdings account for a large portion of the fund, leaving it vulnerable to specific sector headwinds (especially Tech).
Inflation Risk
While stocks generally hedge inflation long-term, short-term inflationary spikes can lead to rising rates and falling valuations.
Passive Management Risk
The fund manager will not move to cash during a market crash; it will continue to follow the index down regardless of conditions.