PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX)
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Fund Info

ISIN
US9219094045
CUSIP
921909404
Issuer
Vanguard
Inception Date
Sep 30, 1994
Min. Investment
$3,000
Distribution Policy
Distributing
Asset Class
Multi-Asset
Asset Class Size
Large-Cap
Asset Class Style
Blend

Share Price Chart


Loading graphics...

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.


Performance

Performance Chart

The chart shows the growth of an initial investment of $10,000 in Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund, comparing it to the performance of the S&P 500 index or another benchmark. All prices have been adjusted for splits and dividends.


Loading graphics...

S&P 500 Index

Returns By Period

Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) has returned -2.81% so far this year and 12.75% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VSMGX has returned 7.93% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 12.16% annually.


Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund

1D
-0.03%
1M
-6.43%
YTD
-2.81%
6M
-0.53%
1Y
12.75%
3Y*
12.54%
5Y*
6.40%
10Y*
7.93%

Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)

1D
2.91%
1M
-5.09%
YTD
-4.63%
6M
-2.39%
1Y
16.33%
3Y*
16.69%
5Y*
10.18%
10Y*
12.16%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Monthly Returns

Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Sep 30, 1994, VSMGX's average daily return is +0.03%, while the average monthly return is +0.65%. At this rate, your investment would double in approximately 8.9 years.

Historically, 66% of months were positive and 34% were negative. The best month was Nov 2020 with a return of +7.8%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -13.2%. The longest winning streak lasted 13 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.

On a daily basis, VSMGX closed higher 53% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 13, 2008 with a return of +7.9%, while the worst single day was Mar 16, 2020 at -6.9%.


JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal
20262.08%1.76%-6.43%-2.81%
20252.11%0.38%-2.21%0.92%3.28%3.28%0.51%2.17%2.53%1.48%0.28%0.57%16.26%
2024-0.30%2.20%2.25%-2.96%3.15%1.23%2.20%1.94%1.90%-2.19%2.81%2.06%15.03%
20235.69%-2.72%2.62%0.97%-0.96%3.37%2.23%-1.95%-3.43%-2.23%7.03%4.74%15.70%
2022-3.64%-2.10%0.00%-6.16%0.34%-5.68%5.28%-3.55%-7.25%3.39%6.38%-3.23%-16.01%
2021-0.44%1.08%1.29%2.73%1.00%1.10%0.83%1.33%-2.82%2.94%-1.37%2.14%10.08%

Benchmark Metrics

Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund has an annualized alpha of 2.44%, beta of 0.55, and R² of 0.83 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since October 03, 1994.

  • This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (63.49%) than losses (63.27%) — typical of diversified or defensive assets.
  • This fund generated an annualized alpha of 2.44% versus S&P 500 Index — delivering returns beyond what market exposure alone would predict.
  • Beta of 0.55 indicates this fund moves significantly less than S&P 500 Index — a genuinely defensive profile with reduced participation in both market rallies and downturns.

Alpha
2.44%
Beta
0.55
0.83
Upside Capture
63.49%
Downside Capture
63.27%

Expense Ratio

VSMGX has an expense ratio of 0.13%, which is considered low.


Return for Risk

Risk / Return Rank

VSMGX ranks 71 for risk / return — better than 71% of mutual funds on our site. You're getting solid returns for the risk taken. A good sign, especially for investors who want growth without excessive volatility.


VSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
VSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
VSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

Return / Risk — by metrics

The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) and compare them to a chosen benchmark (S&P 500 Index).


VSMGXBenchmarkDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.27

0.90

+0.38

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.82

1.39

+0.43

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.21

+0.05

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.64

1.40

+0.24

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

7.16

6.61

+0.56

Explore VSMGX risk-adjusted metrics in detail

Dive deeper into individual metrics with historical trends, benchmark comparisons, and performance across different time periods.

Dividends

Dividend History

Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund provided a 5.40% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $1.81 per share.


2.00%4.00%6.00%8.00%10.00%12.00%$0.00$1.00$2.00$3.00$4.0020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Dividends
Dividend Yield
PeriodTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Dividend$1.81$1.81$3.60$1.22$0.73$1.29$1.09$0.73$1.02$0.30$0.55$0.90

Dividend yield

5.40%5.25%11.49%4.01%2.66%3.86%3.46%2.52%4.11%1.09%2.26%3.89%

Monthly Dividends

The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.


JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal
2026$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00
2025$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.37$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$1.44$1.81
2024$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.36$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$3.24$3.60
2023$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.29$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.93$1.22
2022$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.24$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.49$0.73
2021$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.23$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00$1.07$1.29

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.


Loading graphics...

Worst Drawdowns

The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund. 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 LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund was 41.13%, occurring on Mar 9, 2009. Recovery took 488 trading sessions.

The current Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund drawdown is 6.64%.


Depth

Start

To Bottom

Bottom

To Recover

End

Total

-41.13%Nov 1, 2007339Mar 9, 2009488Feb 11, 2011827
-27.14%Sep 5, 2000524Oct 8, 2002317Jan 12, 2004841
-22.43%Feb 20, 202023Mar 23, 202092Aug 3, 2020115
-22.29%Nov 9, 2021235Oct 14, 2022359Mar 21, 2024594
-12.9%May 2, 2011108Oct 3, 201198Feb 23, 2012206

Volatility

Volatility Chart

The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.


Loading graphics...