Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) 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 VEXRX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VEXRX
VEXRX charges 0.29% annually. There are 5 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 | VEXRX vs FECGX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional... | 0.06% | 45.50B | May 2000 | VEXRX vs VSGIX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Share... | 0.07% | 45.50B | Sep 2011 | VEXRX vs VSGAX | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutio... | 0.08% | — | May 2011 | VEXRX vs VRTGX | |
| Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.19% | — | May 1998 | VEXRX vs VISGX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VEXRX
VEXRX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 47. There are 66 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 | VEXRX vs DSCIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 89 | — | Dec 2016 | VEXRX vs NESIX | |
| Driehaus Micro Cap Growth Fund | 88 | — | Nov 2013 | VEXRX vs DMCRX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 88 | — | May 2002 | VEXRX vs NESGX | |
| Hood River Small-Cap Growth Fund | 85 | — | Jan 2003 | VEXRX vs HRSMX |
Top Performing VEXRX Alternatives (YTD)
VEXRX is at 15.89% YTD. There are 88 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 64.67%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 64.67% | — | Dec 2016 | VEXRX vs NESIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 64.14% | — | May 2002 | VEXRX vs NESGX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class | 45.62% | — | Dec 2016 | VEXRX vs NEAIX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund | 45.33% | — | Sep 2001 | VEXRX vs NEAGX | |
| Oberweis Micro Cap Fund | 41.71% | — | Dec 1995 | VEXRX vs OBMCX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VEXRX
VEXRX has 17.94% 1-year volatility. There are 26 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empiric 2500 Fund | 14.65% | — | Nov 1995 | VEXRX vs EMCAX | |
| Calvert Small/Mid-Cap Fund Class I | 15.37% | — | Jul 2011 | VEXRX vs CMCIX | |
| Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund | 16.31% | — | Jan 1997 | VEXRX vs ETEGX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund | 16.34% | — | Sep 1988 | VEXRX vs NBGNX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund Institutional Class | 16.35% | — | Jul 1999 | VEXRX vs NBGIX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VEXRX
VEXRX has a 1-year max drawdown of -10.16%. There are 11 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 | VEXRX vs DSCIX | |
| Rydex S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth Fund | -8.49% | — | Feb 2004 | VEXRX vs RYWCX | |
| WesMark Small Company Fund | -8.50% | — | Dec 1993 | VEXRX vs WMKSX | |
| Empiric 2500 Fund | -8.60% | — | Nov 1995 | VEXRX vs EMCAX | |
| Ranger Micro Cap Fund | -9.11% | — | Jun 2018 | VEXRX 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 VEXRX
Investors most often compare VEXRX with VINIX, VIEIX, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VEXRX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VEXRX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VEXRX with funds that move differently
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VEXRX.
Explore VEXRX Diversifiers