BMEAX vs. VTMSX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BMEAX (BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A) and VTMSX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BMEAX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by BlackRock, while VTMSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, BMEAX returned 9.41%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for VTMSX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BMEAX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTMSX.

Performance

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BMEAX achieves a 9.13% return, which is significantly lower than VTMSX's 20.11% return. Over the past 10 years, BMEAX has underperformed VTMSX with an annualized return of 9.41%, while VTMSX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.38% annualized return.

BMEAX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 6M: 9.66%
• 1Y: 22.00%
• 3Y*: 12.77%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

VTMSX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.66%
• YTD: 20.11%
• 6M: 17.64%
• 1Y: 35.38%
• 3Y*: 16.42%
• 5Y*: 6.79%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

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

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BMEAX BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A	9.13%	16.81%	6.18%	8.54%	-3.59%	22.11%	-1.75%	21.68%	-6.50%	15.85%
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	20.11%	5.93%	8.61%	15.95%	-16.16%	27.08%	11.05%	23.28%	-8.62%	13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BMEAX and VTMSX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 1999	0.88

The correlation between BMEAX and VTMSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BMEAX vs. VTMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BMEAX

BMEAX Risk / Return Rank: 53
BMEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BMEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
BMEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
BMEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
BMEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VTMSX

VTMSX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VTMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VTMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VTMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
VTMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX). 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.

	BMEAX	VTMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.10	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.01	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.36	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	4.33	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.11	14.50	-4.39

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BMEAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VTMSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BMEAX and VTMSX, 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

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BMEAX drawdown since its inception was -73.05%, which is greater than VTMSX's maximum drawdown of -57.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BMEAX and VTMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BMEAX	VTMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.05%	-57.84%	-15.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-8.59%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.79%	-27.93%	+14.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.32%	-27.93%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.27%	-43.88%	+5.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	0.00%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.63%	-8.91%	-10.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	2.56%	-0.32%

Volatility

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) is 3.66%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that BMEAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BMEAX	VTMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	4.88%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.88%	12.09%	-3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	17.78%	-6.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.45%	21.46%	-8.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.76%	23.15%	-7.39%

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BMEAX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMSX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BMEAX vs. VTMSX - Dividend Comparison

BMEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.38%, more than VTMSX's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BMEAX BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A	7.38%	7.62%	6.10%	5.45%	5.70%	6.46%	4.52%	4.46%	10.86%	58.18%	6.05%	8.93%
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	1.12%	1.28%	1.44%	1.50%	1.51%	1.16%	1.09%	1.15%	1.26%	1.11%	1.01%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BMEAX and VTMSX in my portfolio?

BMEAX and VTMSX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BMEAX or VTMSX?

VTMSX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to BMEAX (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BMEAX dropped -73.05% vs VTMSX's -57.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 2.04), 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.