ASVIX vs. VB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ASVIX (American Century Small Cap Value Fund) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - ASVIX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by American Century, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, ASVIX returned 9.88%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for VB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ASVIX charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

ASVIX vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Small Cap Value Fund (ASVIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASVIX achieves a 13.57% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.91% return. Over the past 10 years, ASVIX has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 9.88%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.38% annualized return.

ASVIX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 13.57%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 22.70%
• 3Y*: 10.50%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

VB

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 16.03%
• 1Y: 31.39%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

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

ASVIX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASVIX American Century Small Cap Value Fund	13.57%	-3.39%	7.12%	16.09%	-14.48%	37.20%	8.94%	33.51%	-16.99%	10.31%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.91%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ASVIX and VB is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.94

The correlation between ASVIX and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ASVIX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASVIX

ASVIX Risk / Return Rank: 17
ASVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
ASVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
ASVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
ASVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
ASVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 61
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

ASVIX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Small Cap Value Fund (ASVIX) 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.

	ASVIX	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.94	-0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	2.75	-0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.34	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	3.48	-1.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.60	12.82	-8.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ASVIX vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASVIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASVIX 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

	ASVIX	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	1.94	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.36	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.53	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.44	+0.05

Drawdowns

ASVIX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASVIX drawdown since its inception was -55.10%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASVIX and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASVIX	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.10%	-59.56%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.23%	-8.98%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.25%	-25.36%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.25%	-28.15%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.50%	-42.05%	-1.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	0.00%	-0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-8.44%	+0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.51%	2.43%	+2.08%

Volatility

ASVIX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Small Cap Value Fund (ASVIX) is 3.92%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 4.40%. This indicates that ASVIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASVIX	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	4.40%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.84%	11.73%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.23%	16.27%	+1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	20.75%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	21.43%	+1.87%

ASVIX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASVIX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASVIX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

ASVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.30%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASVIX American Century Small Cap Value Fund	12.30%	14.08%	6.96%	1.00%	3.86%	7.32%	0.35%	2.41%	20.02%	14.39%	5.29%	14.05%
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 ASVIX and VB in my portfolio?

ASVIX and VB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ASVIX or VB?

VB has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to ASVIX (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASVIX dropped -55.10% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.21), 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.