Chart differences - why does google finance show different return than Vanguard?

[Kevin Aster Tin Obin]

I am a believer in VTSAX, etc. But my employer plan doesn't offer VTSAX, but it does offer PRIMECAP.  I usually look at charts in Google finance and see PRIMECAP compares about equal (slightly less return) over last 10 years.  But when looking on vanguard website, PRIMECAP beats VTSAX over 10 years.!

Does this have to do with dividends and total return calculated with/without dividends?

Thanks for reviewing.

[Radagast]

That is my guess. Price charts that ignore dividends are super annoying. When in doubt, Portfolio Visualizer always gives total return. Primecap has kicked ass, so far.
https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio?s=y&timePeriod=2&startYear=1985&firstMonth=1&endYear=2017&lastMonth=12&endDate=07%2F18%2F2017&initialAmount=10000&annualOperation=0&annualAdjustment=0&inflationAdjusted=true&annualPercentage=0.0&frequency=4&rebalanceType=1&showYield=false&reinvestDividends=true&symbol1=VPMAX&allocation1_1=100&symbol2=VTSAX&allocation2_2=100

[johnny847]

Yes, it absolutely has to do with dividends being reinvested.

Use Morningstar. Whenever you search for a fund they show you a growth of $10k graph (which is calculated with dividend reinvestments)