BCSSX vs. VSGIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BCSSX (Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares) and VSGIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BCSSX returned 5.56%/yr vs 12.21%/yr for VSGIX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCSSX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VSGIX.

Performance

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - 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 Institutional Shares (VSGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCSSX achieves a -6.62% return, which is significantly lower than VSGIX's 18.75% return. Over the past 10 years, BCSSX has underperformed VSGIX with an annualized return of 5.56%, while VSGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.21% annualized return.

BCSSX

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: -6.62%
• 6M: -9.19%
• 1Y: -8.02%
• 3Y*: -1.62%
• 5Y*: -8.10%
• 10Y*: 5.56%

VSGIX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 3.11%
• YTD: 18.75%
• 6M: 15.73%
• 1Y: 32.50%
• 3Y*: 18.22%
• 5Y*: 5.13%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

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

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCSSX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares	-6.62%	-12.18%	10.05%	19.40%	-37.77%	-4.06%	45.51%	29.49%	-0.37%	29.16%
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.75%	8.44%	14.95%	23.07%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.29%	32.77%	-5.70%	21.94%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSSX and VSGIX is 0.67, 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	0.67
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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2011	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between BCSSX and VSGIX has dropped to 0.67 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BCSSX vs. VSGIX — 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

VSGIX

VSGIX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VSGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VSGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VSGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VSGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VSGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. VSGIX - 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 Institutional Shares (VSGIX). 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.

	BCSSX	VSGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.32	1.65	-1.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.31	2.29	-2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.28	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	2.94	-3.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.62	11.01	-11.63

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSSX Sharpe Ratio is -0.32, which is lower than the VSGIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSSX and VSGIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSSX drawdown since its inception was -55.58%, smaller than the maximum VSGIX drawdown of -58.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSSX and VSGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSSX	VSGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.58%	-58.66%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.75%	-11.38%	-15.37%
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	-46.54%	0.00%	-46.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.94%	-11.32%	-4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.59%	3.04%	+8.55%

Volatility

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares (BCSSX) is 6.11%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) has a volatility of 6.94%. This indicates that BCSSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSSX	VSGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.11%	6.94%	-0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.63%	15.80%	+1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.54%	20.32%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.40%	23.70%	+13.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.35%	23.06%	+8.29%

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSSX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGIX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSSX vs. VSGIX - Dividend Comparison

BCSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 102.05%, more than VSGIX's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCSSX Brown Capital Management Small Company Fund Institutional Shares	102.05%	95.29%	49.47%	8.99%	11.63%	9.04%	7.27%	8.43%	6.72%	5.85%	5.48%	9.07%
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.45%	0.55%	0.55%	0.68%	0.56%	0.37%	0.45%	0.58%	0.80%	0.82%	1.09%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCSSX and VSGIX in my portfolio?

BCSSX and VSGIX have a correlation of 0.67, 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 VSGIX?

VSGIX has higher volatility (6.94%) compared to BCSSX (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSSX dropped -55.58% vs VSGIX's -58.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs -0.32), 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.