ASVIX vs. VEXRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ASVIX (American Century Small Cap Value Fund) and VEXRX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - ASVIX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by American Century, while VEXRX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, ASVIX returned 9.93%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for VEXRX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ASVIX charges 1.09%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VEXRX.

Performance

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASVIX achieves a 14.14% return, which is significantly lower than VEXRX's 15.32% return. Over the past 10 years, ASVIX has underperformed VEXRX with an annualized return of 9.93%, while VEXRX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

ASVIX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 2.02%
• YTD: 14.14%
• 6M: 13.34%
• 1Y: 21.09%
• 3Y*: 10.69%
• 5Y*: 3.79%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

VEXRX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.80%
• YTD: 15.32%
• 6M: 14.23%
• 1Y: 29.01%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

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

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASVIX American Century Small Cap Value Fund	14.14%	-3.39%	7.12%	16.09%	-14.48%	37.20%	8.94%	33.51%	-16.99%	10.31%
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	15.32%	7.19%	17.40%	19.90%	-23.23%	16.07%	31.51%	31.42%	-2.34%	22.64%

Correlation

The correlation between ASVIX and VEXRX is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.91

The correlation between ASVIX and VEXRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ASVIX vs. VEXRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASVIX

ASVIX Risk / Return Rank: 21
ASVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ASVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
ASVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ASVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ASVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VEXRX

VEXRX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VEXRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VEXRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VEXRX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VEXRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VEXRX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. VEXRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Small Cap Value Fund (ASVIX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX). 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	VEXRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.81	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.56	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.31	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	3.03	-1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.18	11.81	-6.63
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. VEXRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ASVIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the VEXRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ASVIX and VEXRX, 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	VEXRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.81	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.34	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.62	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.46	+0.03

Drawdowns

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASVIX drawdown since its inception was -55.10%, roughly equal to the maximum VEXRX drawdown of -57.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASVIX and VEXRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASVIX	VEXRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.10%	-57.26%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.23%	-10.16%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.25%	-24.35%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.25%	-32.67%	+5.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.50%	-39.86%	-3.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	0.00%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-9.94%	+2.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.51%	2.61%	+1.90%

Volatility

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Small Cap Value Fund (ASVIX) is 3.95%, while Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) has a volatility of 4.58%. This indicates that ASVIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEXRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ASVIX	VEXRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	4.58%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.85%	12.67%	-0.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.20%	17.02%	+1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	21.31%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	21.83%	+1.47%

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASVIX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXRX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASVIX vs. VEXRX - Dividend Comparison

ASVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.24%, more than VEXRX's 6.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASVIX American Century Small Cap Value Fund	12.24%	14.08%	6.96%	1.00%	3.86%	7.32%	0.35%	2.41%	20.02%	14.39%	5.29%	14.05%
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares	6.54%	7.54%	12.72%	0.89%	5.22%	16.17%	6.76%	5.08%	11.13%	11.46%	4.63%	10.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASVIX and VEXRX in my portfolio?

ASVIX and VEXRX have a correlation of 0.77, 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 VEXRX?

VEXRX has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to ASVIX (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ASVIX dropped -55.10% vs VEXRX's -57.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.29), 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.