ARFFX vs. VMFVX
Compare and contrast key facts about Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) and Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFVX).
ARFFX is managed by Ariel Investments. It was launched on Jun 30, 2005. VMFVX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 2, 2010.
Performance
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund | 5.40% | 21.00% | 13.39% | 6.98% | -9.12% | 21.14% | 6.90% | 25.62% | -13.23% | 15.01% |
VMFVX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares | -1.26% | 7.57% | 10.59% | 16.49% | -7.03% | 30.54% | 3.68% | 26.18% | -11.90% | 12.27% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ARFFX achieves a 5.40% return, which is significantly higher than VMFVX's -1.26% return. Over the past 10 years, ARFFX has outperformed VMFVX with an annualized return of 10.52%, while VMFVX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.82% annualized return.
ARFFX
- 1D
- -0.49%
- 1M
- -6.62%
- YTD
- 5.40%
- 6M
- 4.90%
- 1Y
- 32.69%
- 3Y*
- 15.52%
- 5Y*
- 7.90%
- 10Y*
- 10.52%
VMFVX
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -7.37%
- YTD
- -1.26%
- 6M
- 0.78%
- 1Y
- 10.31%
- 3Y*
- 10.10%
- 5Y*
- 7.00%
- 10Y*
- 9.82%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ARFFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VMFVX's 0.08% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
ARFFX vs. VMFVX — Risk / Return Rank
ARFFX
VMFVX
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) and Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFVX). 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.
| ARFFX | VMFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.74 | 0.52 | +1.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.38 | 0.88 | +1.50 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.12 | +0.24 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 0.61 | +1.57 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.48 | 2.33 | +6.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ARFFX | VMFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.74 | 0.52 | +1.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.36 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.53 | 0.45 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.35 | 0.49 | -0.14 |
Correlation
The correlation between ARFFX and VMFVX is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Dividend Comparison
ARFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.03%, more than VMFVX's 1.91% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund | 12.03% | 12.68% | 2.27% | 3.33% | 8.30% | 3.30% | 2.41% | 1.03% | 7.61% | 5.76% | 1.04% | 13.91% |
VMFVX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.91% | 1.88% | 1.81% | 1.58% | 2.04% | 1.81% | 2.48% | 1.94% | 2.01% | 1.56% | 1.42% | 1.73% |
Drawdowns
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ARFFX drawdown since its inception was -57.66%, which is greater than VMFVX's maximum drawdown of -45.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARFFX and VMFVX.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| ARFFX | VMFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.66% | -45.79% | -11.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.20% | -14.52% | +0.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.50% | -22.46% | -2.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.22% | -45.79% | +2.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.95% | -9.66% | +2.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.50% | -5.52% | -3.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.65% | 3.81% | -0.16% |
Volatility
ARFFX vs. VMFVX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) is 3.91%, while Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFVX) has a volatility of 4.65%. This indicates that ARFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMFVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| ARFFX | VMFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.91% | 4.65% | -0.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.13% | 11.12% | -0.99% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.23% | 20.51% | -1.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 19.52% | -0.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.88% | 21.87% | -1.99% |