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ACSG vs. VBK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ACSG vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ACSG (American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. ACSG is actively managed, while VBK is passively managed. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ACSG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

ACSG vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF (ACSG) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACSG achieves a 19.16% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 16.76% return.

ACSG

1D
-1.75%
1M
5.03%
YTD
19.16%
6M
16.11%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

VBK

1D
-1.56%
1M
1.50%
YTD
16.76%
6M
13.90%
1Y
30.40%
3Y*
17.58%
5Y*
4.59%
10Y*
12.03%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACSG vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
ACSG
American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF		19.16%-0.86%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		16.76%-0.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ACSG and VBK is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025

0.96

ACSG vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ACSG
VBK

Technology

26.1%
27.2%

Industrials

22.4%
24.6%

Healthcare

21.2%
14.4%

Consumer Cyclical

8.2%
7.9%

Financial Services

7.6%
5.4%

Basic Materials

3.8%
2.7%

Energy

2.8%
4.4%

Consumer Defensive

2.4%
2.7%

Utilities

2.0%
1.3%

Communication Services

1.9%
3.0%

Real Estate

1.8%
3.5%

Technology

ACSG
26.1%
VBK
27.2%

Industrials

ACSG
22.4%
VBK
24.6%

Healthcare

ACSG
21.2%
VBK
14.4%

Consumer Cyclical

ACSG
8.2%
VBK
7.9%

Financial Services

ACSG
7.6%
VBK
5.4%

Basic Materials

ACSG
3.8%
VBK
2.7%

Energy

ACSG
2.8%
VBK
4.4%

Consumer Defensive

ACSG
2.4%
VBK
2.7%

Utilities

ACSG
2.0%
VBK
1.3%

Communication Services

ACSG
1.9%
VBK
3.0%

Real Estate

ACSG
1.8%
VBK
3.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Often compared with ACSG:
ACSG vs. BKSEACSG vs. AVLCACSG vs. AVUSACSG vs. XSMOACSG vs. FDGACSG vs. MDYACSG vs. JPSE
Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOG

Return for Risk

ACSG vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ACSG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
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.

ACSG vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF (ACSG) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

ACSGVBKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

—

1.52

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

—

2.12

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

—

1.26

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

—

2.67

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

—

9.99

—

ACSG vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Drawdowns

ACSG vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACSG drawdown since its inception was -13.28%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACSG and VBK.

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Drawdown Indicators

ACSGVBKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.28%

-58.68%

+45.40%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

—

-11.44%

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

—

-27.54%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-38.39%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-38.70%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.75%

-1.61%

-0.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.92%

-10.13%

+7.21%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

3.05%

—

Volatility

ACSG vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

ACSGVBKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

7.13%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

15.65%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.95%

20.10%

+2.85%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.95%

23.63%

-0.68%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.95%

22.91%

+0.04%

ACSG vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACSG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACSG vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

ACSG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACSG
American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.45%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, ACSG and VBK 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.

On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for ACSG.

VBK has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.00% for ACSG.

They also come from different issuers: American Century and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ACSG and 0.05% for VBK.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ACSG and VBK

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