All charts and data below are CPI-U inflation-adjusted and with dividends reinvested. (Why?)

Total Real Returns

VWELX: Total Real Return Chart (Dividends Reinvested, Inflation Adjusted)

VWELX real return snapshot: after CPI-U inflation, VWELX returned +5.18% over the past year and +1.66% YTD, with dividends reinvested. Since Dec. 26, 1979, VWELX is up +3,719.52% in real purchasing-power return, or +8.11%/yr, and is currently −2.78% below its real total-return high on Aug. 7, 2026.

Data ending Tue Sep. 15, 2026

Growth of $10,000

Wed 1979-12-26💬 to Tue 2026-09-15 Overall
Return 		Exponential
Trendline
VWELX × 		+3,719.52%
+8.11%/yr 		+8.20%/yr
R2=0.973
Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Growth of $10,000 Summary

Wed 1979-12-26💬 to Tue 2026-09-15 Start
Value 		End
Value
VWELX × 		$10,000.00
1979-12-26 		$381,951.93
2026-09-15

This Year’s Performance

through 2026-09-15

  YTD YoY
VWELX × 		+1.66% +5.18%

Drawdowns

  Current
Drawdown 		Worst
Drawdown
VWELX × 		−2.78%
on 2026-09-15
from 2026-08-07 peak 		−37.23%
on 2009-03-09
from 2007-10-09 peak

Rolling Returns

Period ending Tue 2026-09-15 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr
VWELX × 		+5.18% +17.74%
+8.51%/yr 		+37.32%
+11.15%/yr 		+16.76%
+3.15%/yr 		+84.21%
+6.30%/yr

Annual Returns

Year VWELX
2026 (YTD) +1.66%
2025 +13.51%
2024 +11.52%
2023 +10.59%
2022 −19.56%
2021 +11.17%
2020 +9.08%
2019 +19.78%
2018 −5.24%
2017 +12.35%
2016 +8.77%
2015 −0.18%
2014 +9.01%
2013 +17.92%
2012 +10.64%
2011 +0.87%
2010 +9.30%
2009 +19.00%
2008 −22.37%
2007 +4.07%
2006 +12.14%
2005 +3.28%
2004 +7.67%
2003 +18.52%
2002 −9.08%
2001 +2.59%
2000 +7.25%
1999 +29.55%
1998 +11.42%
1997 +21.17%
1996 +12.38%
1995 +29.63%
1994 −3.06%
1993 +10.63%
1992 +8.56%
1991 +18.44%
1990 −8.42%
1989 +20.39%
1988 +15.35%
1987 −1.06%
1986 +14.50%
1985 +21.24%
1984 +2.49%
1983 +14.92%
1982 +19.92%
1981 −5.47%
1980 +8.70%
1979 +0.08%