ARTJX vs. VFSNX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

ARTJX (Artisan International Small-Mid Fund) and VFSNX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ARTJX returned 7.27%/yr vs 7.47%/yr for VFSNX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ARTJX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VFSNX.

Performance

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARTJX achieves a 7.73% return, which is significantly higher than VFSNX's 5.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ARTJX having a 7.27% annualized return and VFSNX not far ahead at 7.47%.

ARTJX

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 7.23%
• YTD: 7.73%
• 1Y: 14.68%
• 3Y*: 8.17%
• 5Y*: 0.91%
• 10Y*: 7.27%
• ALL TIME*: 9.99%

VFSNX

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: -2.41%
• 6M: -0.72%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 1Y: 16.42%
• 3Y*: 12.78%
• 5Y*: 4.99%
• 10Y*: 7.47%
• ALL TIME*: 9.17%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ARTJX Artisan International Small-Mid Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARTJX Artisan International Small-Mid Fund	7.73%	18.29%	-0.80%	11.03%	-23.77%	3.63%	33.00%	36.25%	-17.94%	33.50%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.53%	29.97%	2.63%	15.18%	-21.26%	12.74%	11.92%	21.72%	-18.46%	30.30%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTJX and VFSNX is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2009	0.85

The correlation between ARTJX and VFSNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARTJX vs. VFSNX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ARTJX

ARTJX Risk / Return Rank: 29
ARTJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ARTJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ARTJX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ARTJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ARTJX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VFSNX

VFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan International Small-Mid Fund (ARTJX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). 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.

	ARTJX	VFSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	1.06	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	1.53	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.20	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.35	1.37	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.65	4.39	+0.26

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTJX Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is comparable to the VFSNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTJX and VFSNX, 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

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTJX drawdown since its inception was -64.43%, which is greater than VFSNX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTJX and VFSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTJX	VFSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.43%	-43.65%	-20.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.10%	-11.47%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.50%	-14.70%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.04%	-33.75%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.04%	-43.65%	+6.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-6.61%	+5.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.18%	-9.44%	-3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.94%	3.57%	-0.63%

Volatility

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Artisan International Small-Mid Fund (ARTJX) is 3.76%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that ARTJX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARTJX	VFSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	5.02%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.07%	13.02%	-0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.01%	14.84%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.93%	15.27%	+2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	15.65%	+1.54%

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTJX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSNX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTJX vs. VFSNX - Dividend Comparison

ARTJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.19%, more than VFSNX's 3.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARTJX Artisan International Small-Mid Fund	5.19%	5.59%	0.57%	0.00%	0.03%	2.86%	0.54%	0.14%	73.24%	13.74%	6.05%	3.36%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.29%	3.36%	3.41%	3.11%	2.26%	2.70%	1.90%	3.25%	2.81%	2.85%	2.93%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARTJX and VFSNX in my portfolio?

ARTJX and VFSNX 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, ARTJX or VFSNX?

VFSNX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to ARTJX (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTJX dropped -64.43% vs VFSNX's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.91), 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.