BDSKX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDSKX (BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BDSKX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 5 years, BDSKX returned 7.62%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BDSKX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K (BDSKX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDSKX achieves a 20.55% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -5.08% return.

BDSKX

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 20.55%
• 6M: 19.44%
• 1Y: 43.45%
• 3Y*: 20.36%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: —

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BDSKX BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K	20.55%	13.76%	11.96%	16.49%	-19.20%	14.87%	19.60%	33.45%	-8.80%	9.97%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	18.97%

Correlation

The correlation between BDSKX and VFAIX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.77

The correlation between BDSKX and VFAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BDSKX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDSKX

BDSKX Risk / Return Rank: 71
BDSKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BDSKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BDSKX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
BDSKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BDSKX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K (BDSKX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

	BDSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	0.29	+2.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	0.48	+2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.06	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.64	0.29	+4.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.59	0.76	+15.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDSKX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDSKX and VFAIX, 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

	BDSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	0.29	+2.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.43	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.23	+0.23

Drawdowns

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDSKX drawdown since its inception was -43.30%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDSKX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.30%	-78.64%	+35.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.88%	-14.72%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.55%	-17.31%	-9.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.65%	-25.71%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-18.61%	+9.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	5.51%	-2.75%

Volatility

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K (BDSKX) has a higher volatility of 5.39% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. This indicates that BDSKX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.39%	3.07%	+2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.62%	10.98%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.11%	14.68%	+4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.55%	19.33%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.79%	22.60%	+1.19%

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDSKX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

BDSKX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

BDSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDSKX BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund Class K	3.98%	4.80%	0.81%	1.01%	3.59%	12.08%	2.59%	1.72%	5.70%	2.33%	0.00%	0.00%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDSKX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

BDSKX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BDSKX or VFAIX?

BDSKX has higher volatility (5.39%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDSKX dropped -43.30% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BDSKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.29), 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.