Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) belongs to the Small Cap Growth Equities category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VEXPX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VEXPX
VEXPX charges 0.40% annually. There are 7 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.05% | — | Jul 2019 | VEXPX vs FECGX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional... | 0.06% | 45.50B | May 2000 | VEXPX vs VSGIX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Share... | 0.07% | 45.50B | Sep 2011 | VEXPX vs VSGAX | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutio... | 0.08% | — | May 2011 | VEXPX vs VRTGX | |
| Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.19% | — | May 1998 | VEXPX vs VISGX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VEXPX
VEXPX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 43. There are 71 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 90.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund | 90 | — | Nov 2015 | VEXPX vs DSCIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 85 | — | Dec 2016 | VEXPX vs NESIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 85 | — | May 2002 | VEXPX vs NESGX | |
| Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund | 80 | — | Nov 2013 | VEXPX vs DMCRX | |
| Oberweis Micro Cap Fund | 79 | — | Dec 1995 | VEXPX vs OBMCX |
Top Performing VEXPX Alternatives (YTD)
VEXPX is at 15.75% YTD. There are 87 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 61.39%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 61.39% | — | Dec 2016 | VEXPX vs NESIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 60.85% | — | May 2002 | VEXPX vs NESGX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class | 40.44% | — | Dec 2016 | VEXPX vs NEAIX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund | 40.15% | — | Sep 2001 | VEXPX vs NEAGX | |
| Oberweis Micro Cap Fund | 39.47% | — | Dec 1995 | VEXPX vs OBMCX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VEXPX
VEXPX has 17.83% 1-year volatility. There are 26 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empiric 2500 Fund | 14.60% | — | Nov 1995 | VEXPX vs EMCAX | |
| Calvert Small/Mid-Cap Fund Class I | 15.33% | — | Jul 2011 | VEXPX vs CMCIX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund | 16.25% | — | Sep 1988 | VEXPX vs NBGNX | |
| Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund | 16.25% | — | Jan 1997 | VEXPX vs ETEGX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund Institutional Class | 16.26% | — | Jul 1999 | VEXPX vs NBGIX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VEXPX
VEXPX has a 1-year max drawdown of -10.18%. There are 12 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -7.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund | -7.08% | — | Nov 2015 | VEXPX vs DSCIX | |
| Rydex S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth Fund | -8.49% | — | Feb 2004 | VEXPX vs RYWCX | |
| WesMark Small Company Fund | -8.50% | — | Dec 1993 | VEXPX vs WMKSX | |
| Empiric 2500 Fund | -8.60% | — | Nov 1995 | VEXPX vs EMCAX | |
| Ranger Micro Cap Fund | -9.11% | — | Jun 2018 | VEXPX vs RFIMX |
Other Mutual Funds from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard mutual funds shown here include VTSAX, VFIAX, VTIAX and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
Often Compared With VEXPX
Investors most often compare VEXPX with VOO, VPMAX, VEIRX. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VEXPX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VEXPX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VEXPX with funds that move differently
Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VEXPX.
Explore VEXPX Diversifiers