ARTSX vs. VB
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 12.69%/yr vs 11.79%/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
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ARTSX having a 15.60% return and VB slightly higher at 15.66%. Over the past 10 years, ARTSX has outperformed VB with an annualized return of 12.69%, while VB has yielded a comparatively lower 11.79% annualized return.
ARTSX
- 1D
- -1.40%
- 1M
- 4.48%
- YTD
- 15.60%
- 6M
- 12.82%
- 1Y
- 29.96%
- 3Y*
- 16.44%
- 5Y*
- 1.26%
- 10Y*
- 12.69%
VB
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 2.82%
- YTD
- 15.66%
- 6M
- 13.32%
- 1Y
- 27.61%
- 3Y*
- 17.53%
- 5Y*
- 7.03%
- 10Y*
- 11.79%
ARTSX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARTSX Artisan Small Cap Fund | 15.60% | 8.46% | 20.56% | 9.29% | -29.44% | -9.05% | 60.95% | 40.04% | 1.97% | 26.97% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 15.66% | 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 0.91, 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 | 0.91 |
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 Jan 30, 2004 | 0.89 |
The correlation between ARTSX and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ARTSX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
ARTSX
VB
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.
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.
| ARTSX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.29 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.08 | 3.09 | -1.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.67 | 11.33 | -2.66 |
Loading charts...
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.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ARTSX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.90% | -0.41% | -5.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.70% | -8.42% | -6.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.69% | 2.44% | +1.25% |
Volatility
ARTSX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
Artisan Small Cap Fund (ARTSX) has a higher volatility of 8.33% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.96%. 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ARTSX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.33% | 4.96% | +3.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.61% | 12.23% | +6.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.54% | 16.64% | +5.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.56% | 20.78% | +6.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.60% | 21.42% | +4.18% |
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 7.13%, more than VB's 1.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARTSX Artisan Small Cap Fund | 7.13% | 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 | 1.18% | 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
With a correlation of 0.91, 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.
ARTSX has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to VB (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTSX dropped -62.77% vs VB's -59.56%.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.43), 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.
Find the right allocation for ARTSX and VB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer