APDSX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APDSX (Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, APDSX returned 2.01%/yr vs 5.90%/yr for VRTGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APDSX charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

Performance

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares (APDSX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APDSX achieves a 17.35% return, which is significantly lower than VRTGX's 22.19% return.

APDSX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 6.00%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 14.60%
• 1Y: 33.87%
• 3Y*: 17.14%
• 5Y*: 2.01%
• 10Y*: —

VRTGX

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 5.93%
• YTD: 22.19%
• 6M: 18.81%
• 1Y: 42.31%
• 3Y*: 19.93%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
APDSX Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares	17.35%	8.61%	20.61%	9.51%	-29.36%	-8.92%	61.14%	40.22%	2.10%	19.72%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	22.19%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	20.69%

Correlation

The correlation between APDSX and VRTGX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2017	0.91

The correlation between APDSX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APDSX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

APDSX

APDSX Risk / Return Rank: 37
APDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
APDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
APDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
APDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
APDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares (APDSX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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.

	APDSX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.97	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.66	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.96	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.51	10.59	-1.08

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APDSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APDSX and VRTGX, 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

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APDSX drawdown since its inception was -51.43%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APDSX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	APDSX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.43%	-41.97%	-9.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.39%	-14.80%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.85%	-28.54%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.85%	-40.48%	-7.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.87%	0.00%	-3.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.19%	-10.41%	-7.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	4.13%	-0.46%

Volatility

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares (APDSX) has a higher volatility of 8.17% compared to Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) at 7.67%. This indicates that APDSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRTGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APDSX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.17%	7.67%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.67%	16.77%	+1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.54%	22.26%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.56%	24.71%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.16%	24.59%	+1.57%

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

APDSX has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

APDSX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

APDSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.92%, more than VRTGX's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APDSX Artisan Small Cap Fund Advisor Shares	6.92%	8.12%	10.28%	0.00%	0.35%	12.00%	5.23%	7.80%	20.77%	16.23%	0.00%	0.00%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.60%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APDSX and VRTGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, APDSX and VRTGX 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.

Which is riskier, APDSX or VRTGX?

APDSX has higher volatility (8.17%) compared to VRTGX (7.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APDSX dropped -51.43% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.56), 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.