- ISIN
- US9219262006
- CUSIP
- 921926200
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Nov 12, 2001
- Region
- North America (U.S.)
- Category
- Small Cap Growth Equities
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Asset Class Size
- Small-Cap
- Asset Class Style
- Growth
- Assets Under Management
- $22B
Share Price Chart
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Performance
VEXRX Performance Chart
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) is up 17.3% since the beginning of the year. VEXRX is currently trading at $125 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VEXRX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,436.
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Returns By Period
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) has returned 17.26% so far this year and 30.91% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VEXRX has had an annualized return of 13.66%, just under the S&P 500 Index benchmark’s 13.88%.
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares
- 1D
- 2.00%
- 1M
- 3.70%
- YTD
- 17.26%
- 6M
- 14.38%
- 1Y
- 30.91%
- 3Y*
- 17.12%
- 5Y*
- 7.51%
- 10Y*
- 13.66%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
VEXRX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Nov 12, 2001, VEXRX's average daily return is +0.05%, while the average monthly return is +0.96%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 6.0 years.
Historically, 62% of months were positive and 38% were negative. The best month was Apr 2020 with a return of +16.7%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -20.7%. The longest winning streak lasted 9 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.
On a daily basis, VEXRX closed higher 54% of trading days. The best single day was Mar 24, 2020 with a return of +10.6%, while the worst single day was Mar 16, 2020 at -13.8%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.71% | 1.27% | -4.86% | 11.05% | 3.73% | 1.87% | 17.26% | ||||||
| 2025 | 4.46% | -6.28% | -6.95% | -1.88% | 5.58% | 4.63% | 0.94% | 4.09% | 1.46% | 1.12% | 1.60% | -0.89% | 7.19% |
| 2024 | -1.93% | 6.34% | 2.86% | -6.10% | 4.05% | -1.31% | 4.64% | 1.42% | 0.99% | -1.70% | 9.14% | -1.29% | 17.40% |
| 2023 | 10.34% | -1.63% | -1.40% | -1.55% | -1.57% | 8.15% | 3.23% | -3.62% | -5.22% | -6.24% | 9.53% | 10.39% | 19.90% |
| 2022 | -10.24% | -0.03% | 0.88% | -9.33% | -2.57% | -7.70% | 10.76% | -3.29% | -9.08% | 8.41% | 3.98% | -5.26% | -23.23% |
| 2021 | 1.66% | 5.13% | -0.23% | 4.83% | -1.70% | 2.93% | 0.79% | 2.12% | -3.68% | 5.07% | -3.30% | 1.90% | 16.07% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares has an annualized alpha of 2.07%, beta of 1.06, and R2 of 0.84 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since November 12, 2001.
- This fund captured 121.84% of S&P 500 Index gains and 110.45% of its losses - amplifying both gains and losses, but participating more in upside than downside.
- This fund generated an annualized alpha of 2.07% versus S&P 500 Index - delivering returns beyond what market exposure alone would predict.
- With beta of 1.06 and R2 of 0.84, this fund moves broadly in line with S&P 500 Index - much of its variation is explained by market exposure rather than independent behavior.
- Alpha
- 2.07%
- Beta
- 1.06
- R²
- 0.84
- Upside Capture
- 121.84%
- Downside Capture
- 110.45%
Expense Ratio
VEXRX has an expense ratio of 0.29%, placing it in the medium range.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VEXRX ranks 50 for risk / return — on par with similar mutual funds. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VEXRX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.37 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.05 | 2.78 | +0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.76 | 12.44 | -0.68 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares provided a 6.43% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $8.04 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $8.04 | $8.04 | $13.59 | $0.92 | $4.54 | $19.25 | $8.09 | $4.94 | $8.66 | $10.13 | $3.72 | $8.14 |
Dividend yield | 6.43% | 7.54% | 12.72% | 0.89% | 5.22% | 16.17% | 6.76% | 5.08% | 11.13% | 11.46% | 4.63% | 10.89% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $8.04 | $8.04 |
| 2024 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $13.59 | $13.59 |
| 2023 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.92 | $0.92 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $4.54 | $4.54 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $19.25 | $19.25 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares was 57.26%, occurring on Mar 9, 2009. Recovery took 484 trading sessions.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -57.26%Mar 2009 | 1y 7mo | 1y 11mo | 3y 6moJul 2007 - Feb 2011 |
COVID crash2020 | -39.86%Mar 2020 | 26d | 4mo 18d | 5mo 14dFeb 2020 - Aug 2020 |
Dot-com crash2000–2002 | -36.89%Oct 2002 | 5mo 25d | 12mo 3d | 1y 5moApr 2002 - Oct 2003 |
Bear market2022 | -32.67%Jun 2022 | 7mo 8d | 2y 4mo | 2y 12moNov 2021 - Nov 2024 |
2011 bear market2011 | -27.61%Oct 2011 | 2mo 27d | 5mo 25d | 8mo 22dJul 2011 - Mar 2012 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VEXRX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.26% | -56.78% | -0.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.16% | -9.10% | -1.06% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.35% | -18.90% | -5.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.67% | -25.43% | -7.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.86% | -33.92% | -5.94% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.80% | +1.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.92% | -10.71% | +0.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.63% | 2.03% | +0.60% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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