AMAEX vs. VRTVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AMAEX (American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund) and VRTVX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, AMAEX returned 11.30%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for VRTVX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AMAEX charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTVX.

Performance

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund (AMAEX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AMAEX having a 18.16% return and VRTVX slightly higher at 18.94%.

AMAEX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 4.96%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 6M: 17.07%
• 1Y: 23.90%
• 3Y*: 11.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VRTVX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 18.94%
• 6M: 18.07%
• 1Y: 43.21%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

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

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AMAEX American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund	18.16%	-4.42%	11.05%	8.86%	-2.96%
VRTVX Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.94%	12.21%	8.07%	14.71%	-7.61%

Correlation

The correlation between AMAEX and VRTVX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2022	0.94

The correlation between AMAEX and VRTVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMAEX vs. VRTVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMAEX

AMAEX Risk / Return Rank: 30
AMAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
AMAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
AMAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
AMAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
AMAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VRTVX

VRTVX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VRTVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VRTVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VRTVX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VRTVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VRTVX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund (AMAEX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX). 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.

	AMAEX	VRTVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.54	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	3.54	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.43	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	5.34	-2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.21	18.14	-11.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMAEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the VRTVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMAEX and VRTVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AMAEX	VRTVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.54	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.48	-0.11

Drawdowns

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMAEX drawdown since its inception was -23.97%, smaller than the maximum VRTVX drawdown of -45.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMAEX and VRTVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMAEX	VRTVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.97%	-45.98%	+22.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.70%	-8.54%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.97%	-26.85%	+2.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.85%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.25%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.45%	-7.78%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	2.51%	+1.64%

Volatility

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund (AMAEX) is 3.87%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX) has a volatility of 4.90%. This indicates that AMAEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VRTVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMAEX	VRTVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	4.90%	-1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.85%	11.98%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.72%	17.95%	-1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.66%	21.67%	-2.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.66%	23.71%	-4.05%

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMAEX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTVX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMAEX vs. VRTVX - Dividend Comparison

AMAEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, more than VRTVX's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMAEX American Century Small Cap Dividend Fund	1.82%	2.57%	1.37%	1.99%	2.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRTVX Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.58%	1.49%	1.84%	2.08%	2.15%	1.56%	1.54%	1.87%	2.17%	1.74%	1.52%	2.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMAEX and VRTVX in my portfolio?

AMAEX and VRTVX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMAEX or VRTVX?

VRTVX has higher volatility (4.90%) compared to AMAEX (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMAEX dropped -23.97% vs VRTVX's -45.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.55), 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.