Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) 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 VRTGX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VRTGX
VRTGX charges 0.08% annually. There are 3 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 | VRTGX vs FECGX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional... | 0.06% | 45.50B | May 2000 | VRTGX vs VSGIX | |
| Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Share... | 0.07% | 45.50B | Sep 2011 | VRTGX vs VSGAX | |
| Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.19% | — | May 1998 | VRTGX vs VISGX | |
| Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares | 0.29% | 22.40B | Nov 2001 | VRTGX vs VEXRX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VRTGX
VRTGX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 48. There are 61 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 94.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 94 | — | Dec 2016 | VRTGX vs NESIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 93 | — | May 2002 | VRTGX vs NESGX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class | 92 | — | Dec 2016 | VRTGX vs NEAIX | |
| Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund | 91 | — | Nov 2015 | VRTGX vs DSCIX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund | 91 | — | Sep 2001 | VRTGX vs NEAGX |
Top Performing VRTGX Alternatives (YTD)
VRTGX is at 20.25% YTD. There are 60 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 76.59%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional | 76.59% | — | Dec 2016 | VRTGX vs NESIX | |
| Needham Small Cap Growth Fund | 76.09% | — | May 2002 | VRTGX vs NESGX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund Institutional Class | 58.23% | — | Dec 2016 | VRTGX vs NEAIX | |
| Needham Aggressive Growth Fund | 57.94% | — | Sep 2001 | VRTGX vs NEAGX | |
| Oberweis Micro Cap Fund | 47.10% | — | Dec 1995 | VRTGX vs OBMCX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VRTGX
VRTGX has 22.28% 1-year volatility. There are 101 mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.50%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empiric 2500 Fund | 14.50% | — | Nov 1995 | VRTGX vs EMCAX | |
| Calvert Small/Mid-Cap Fund Class I | 15.36% | — | Jul 2011 | VRTGX vs CMCIX | |
| Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund | 16.25% | — | Jan 1997 | VRTGX vs ETEGX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund | 16.30% | — | Sep 1988 | VRTGX vs NBGNX | |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund Institutional Class | 16.30% | — | Jul 1999 | VRTGX vs NBGIX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VRTGX
VRTGX has a 1-year max drawdown of -14.80%. There are 114 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 | VRTGX vs DSCIX | |
| Rydex S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth Fund | -8.49% | — | Feb 2004 | VRTGX vs RYWCX | |
| WesMark Small Company Fund | -8.50% | — | Dec 1993 | VRTGX vs WMKSX | |
| Empiric 2500 Fund | -8.60% | — | Nov 1995 | VRTGX vs EMCAX | |
| Ranger Micro Cap Fund | -9.11% | — | Jun 2018 | VRTGX 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 VRTGX
Investors most often compare VRTGX with VTWG, VRGWX, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VRTGX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VRTGX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VRTGX with funds that move differently
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VRTGX.
Explore VRTGX Diversifiers