BCSSX vs. VSGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BCSSX (Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares) and VSGAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BCSSX returned 5.51%/yr vs 11.85%/yr for VSGAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCSSX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSGAX.

Performance

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares (BCSSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCSSX achieves a -4.40% return, which is significantly lower than VSGAX's 18.73% return. Over the past 10 years, BCSSX has underperformed VSGAX with an annualized return of 5.51%, while VSGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.85% annualized return.

BCSSX

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 9.38%
• YTD: -4.40%
• 6M: -8.75%
• 1Y: -6.28%
• 3Y*: -1.03%
• 5Y*: -6.03%
• 10Y*: 5.51%

VSGAX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 6.06%
• YTD: 18.73%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 34.11%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 11.85%

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

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCSSX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares	-4.40%	-12.18%	10.05%	19.40%	-37.77%	-4.06%	45.51%	29.49%	-0.37%	29.16%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	18.73%	8.44%	14.94%	23.04%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.26%	32.76%	-5.69%	21.92%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSSX and VSGAX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2011	0.89

Over the past year, the correlation between BCSSX and VSGAX has dropped to 0.66 - well below their long-term average of 0.89, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BCSSX vs. VSGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCSSX

BCSSX Risk / Return Rank: 2
BCSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BCSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BCSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BCSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BCSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VSGAX

VSGAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VSGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VSGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VSGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VSGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VSGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares (BCSSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). 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.

	BCSSX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	1.86	-2.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.13	2.56	-2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.31	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.16	3.18	-3.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.39	12.10	-12.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSSX Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the VSGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSSX and VSGAX, 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

	BCSSX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	1.86	-2.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.26	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.52	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.58	-0.25

Drawdowns

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSSX drawdown since its inception was -55.58%, which is greater than VSGAX's maximum drawdown of -38.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSSX and VSGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSSX	VSGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.58%	-38.70%	-16.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.75%	-11.37%	-15.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.58%	-27.47%	-28.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.58%	-38.36%	-17.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.58%	-38.70%	-16.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.27%	0.00%	-45.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.83%	-8.55%	-7.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.30%	2.98%	+8.32%

Volatility

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Volatility Comparison

Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares (BCSSX) has a higher volatility of 8.03% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) at 5.28%. This indicates that BCSSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSSX	VSGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.03%	5.28%	+2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.45%	14.85%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.43%	19.45%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.38%	23.56%	+13.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.34%	23.00%	+8.34%

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSSX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSSX vs. VSGAX - Dividend Comparison

BCSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 99.68%, more than VSGAX's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCSSX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares	99.68%	95.29%	49.47%	8.99%	11.63%	9.04%	7.27%	8.43%	6.72%	5.85%	5.48%	9.07%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.44%	0.54%	0.54%	0.67%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.81%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCSSX and VSGAX in my portfolio?

BCSSX and VSGAX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BCSSX or VSGAX?

BCSSX has higher volatility (8.03%) compared to VSGAX (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSSX dropped -55.58% vs VSGAX's -38.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs -0.20), 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.