ADVLX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ADVLX (Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ADVLX returned 6.69%/yr vs 6.34%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ADVLX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADVLX achieves a 13.92% return, which is significantly higher than VFSAX's 10.38% return.

ADVLX

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 13.92%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 41.59%
• 3Y*: 20.18%
• 5Y*: 6.69%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.55%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 6.34%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ADVLX Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund	13.92%	49.91%	4.50%	2.73%	-26.24%	12.89%	15.65%	12.56%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.38%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between ADVLX and VFSAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.88

The correlation between ADVLX and VFSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ADVLX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADVLX

ADVLX Risk / Return Rank: 63
ADVLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ADVLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ADVLX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ADVLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ADVLX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 42
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	ADVLX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.81	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.50	+0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.33	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	2.21	+1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	8.26	+3.51

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADVLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADVLX and VFSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADVLX drawdown since its inception was -38.90%, roughly equal to the maximum VFSAX drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADVLX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADVLX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.90%	-39.86%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.60%	-11.48%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.29%	-14.73%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.90%	-33.81%	-5.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-2.27%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.05%	-9.21%	-2.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.07%	+0.35%

Volatility

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund (ADVLX) is 4.52%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) has a volatility of 5.45%. This indicates that ADVLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADVLX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	5.45%	-0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.13%	12.10%	+3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.92%	14.03%	+4.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.77%	15.15%	+3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	17.06%	+0.48%

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ADVLX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

ADVLX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

ADVLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than VFSAX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADVLX Vaughan Nelson International Small Cap Fund	0.76%	0.87%	1.59%	1.59%	1.38%	0.96%	0.83%	1.71%	2.15%	5.97%	1.30%	2.67%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.09%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADVLX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

ADVLX and VFSAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADVLX or VFSAX?

VFSAX has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to ADVLX (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADVLX dropped -38.90% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ADVLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.81), 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.