ARTSX vs. VB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARTSX (Artisan Small Cap Fund) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - ARTSX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Artisan, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, ARTSX returned 12.27%/yr vs 11.30%/yr for VB. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARTSX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

ARTSX vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Artisan Small Cap Fund (ARTSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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 ARTSX having a 14.13% return and VB slightly higher at 14.16%. Over the past 10 years, ARTSX has outperformed VB with an annualized return of 12.27%, while VB has yielded a comparatively lower 11.30% annualized return.

ARTSX

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: 9.06%
• YTD: 14.13%
• 6M: 12.25%
• 1Y: 33.16%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 2.95%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

VB

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 14.16%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 28.82%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: 11.30%

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

ARTSX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARTSX Artisan Small Cap Fund	14.13%	8.46%	20.56%	9.29%	-29.44%	-9.05%	60.95%	40.04%	1.97%	26.97%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.16%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTSX and VB is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.89

The correlation between ARTSX and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARTSX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARTSX

ARTSX Risk / Return Rank: 35
ARTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ARTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
ARTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
ARTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ARTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 56
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

ARTSX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan Small Cap Fund (ARTSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	ARTSX	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.78	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.56	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.31	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	3.22	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.62	11.87	-2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARTSX vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTSX and VB, 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

	ARTSX	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.78	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.34	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.53	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.44	-0.06

Drawdowns

ARTSX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTSX drawdown since its inception was -62.77%, which is greater than VB's maximum drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTSX and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTSX	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.77%	-59.56%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.44%	-8.98%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.88%	-25.36%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.88%	-28.15%	-19.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.51%	-42.05%	-9.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.10%	-0.65%	-6.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.71%	-8.44%	-6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	2.43%	+1.22%

Volatility

ARTSX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Artisan Small Cap Fund (ARTSX) has a higher volatility of 7.55% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.42%. This indicates that ARTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARTSX	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.55%	4.42%	+3.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.71%	11.72%	+5.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.49%	16.28%	+5.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.40%	20.74%	+6.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.54%	21.42%	+4.12%

ARTSX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTSX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTSX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

ARTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.22%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARTSX Artisan Small Cap Fund	7.22%	8.24%	10.40%	0.00%	0.26%	12.11%	5.26%	7.83%	20.83%	16.26%	1.18%	10.12%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARTSX and VB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ARTSX and VB 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, ARTSX or VB?

ARTSX has higher volatility (7.55%) compared to VB (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTSX dropped -62.77% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.64), 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.