ACRNX vs. VB
ACRNX (Columbia Acorn Fund) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - ACRNX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Columbia, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX returned 9.48%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for VB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACRNX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.
Performance
ACRNX vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ACRNX achieves a 16.94% return, which is significantly higher than VB's 15.60% return. Over the past 10 years, ACRNX has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 9.48%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.09% annualized return.
ACRNX
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- 0.33%
- 6M
- 9.42%
- YTD
- 16.94%
- 1Y
- 27.43%
- 3Y*
- 13.34%
- 5Y*
- 2.59%
- 10Y*
- 9.48%
VB
- 1D
- -0.66%
- 1M
- 0.23%
- 6M
- 9.54%
- YTD
- 15.60%
- 1Y
- 23.89%
- 3Y*
- 15.01%
- 5Y*
- 7.84%
- 10Y*
- 11.09%
ACRNX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund | 16.94% | 4.80% | 14.46% | 21.85% | -33.80% | 8.62% | 29.65% | 26.65% | -8.82% | 25.78% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 15.60% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between ACRNX and VB is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.94 |
The correlation between ACRNX and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ACRNX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
ACRNX
VB
ACRNX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
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.
| ACRNX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.25 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.58 | 2.67 | -1.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.95 | 9.77 | -3.82 |
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Drawdowns
ACRNX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ACRNX drawdown since its inception was -56.70%, roughly equal to the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACRNX and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ACRNX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.70% | -59.56% | +2.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.63% | -8.98% | -7.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -30.05% | -25.36% | -4.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.58% | -28.15% | -17.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.58% | -42.05% | -3.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.98% | -2.29% | -1.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.76% | -8.40% | -0.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.41% | 2.45% | +1.96% |
Volatility
ACRNX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) has a higher volatility of 7.79% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.25%. This indicates that ACRNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ACRNX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 4.25% | +3.54% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.72% | 12.09% | +5.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.09% | 16.60% | +5.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.27% | 20.76% | +4.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.12% | 21.37% | +1.75% |
ACRNX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
ACRNX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
ACRNX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
ACRNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than VB's 1.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACRNX Columbia Acorn Fund | 0.89% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 5.30% | 26.17% | 13.28% | 11.43% | 8.55% | 24.10% | 39.09% | 63.48% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.22% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, ACRNX and VB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
ACRNX has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to VB (4.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACRNX dropped -56.70% vs VB's -59.56%.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.19), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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