CAEZX vs. VESIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CAEZX (Columbia Acorn European Fund) and VESIX (Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Europe Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CAEZX returned 8.39%/yr vs 9.26%/yr for VESIX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CAEZX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VESIX.

Performance

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX) and Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VESIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAEZX achieves a 5.08% return, which is significantly lower than VESIX's 5.77% return. Over the past 10 years, CAEZX has underperformed VESIX with an annualized return of 8.39%, while VESIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.26% annualized return.

CAEZX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 7.99%
• 1Y: 11.02%
• 3Y*: 9.82%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

VESIX

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 1.32%
• YTD: 5.77%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: 17.51%
• 3Y*: 16.40%
• 5Y*: 8.26%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

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

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAEZX Columbia Acorn European Fund	5.08%	24.00%	-4.20%	25.11%	-38.02%	21.76%	23.09%	46.34%	-18.57%	38.37%
VESIX Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.77%	35.43%	2.02%	20.03%	-16.07%	16.31%	6.46%	24.24%	-14.78%	27.05%

Correlation

The correlation between CAEZX and VESIX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2011	0.86

The correlation between CAEZX and VESIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CAEZX vs. VESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAEZX

CAEZX Risk / Return Rank: 10
CAEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
CAEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
CAEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
CAEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
CAEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VESIX

VESIX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX) and Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VESIX). 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.

	CAEZX	VESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.20	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	1.75	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.22	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	1.52	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	5.62	-2.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAEZX Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the VESIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAEZX and VESIX, 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

	CAEZX	VESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	1.20	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.48	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.51	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.26	+0.21

Drawdowns

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAEZX drawdown since its inception was -50.98%, smaller than the maximum VESIX drawdown of -63.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAEZX and VESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAEZX	VESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.98%	-63.25%	+12.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.38%	-11.96%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.96%	-13.94%	-9.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.98%	-32.68%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.98%	-36.85%	-14.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.68%	-2.36%	-4.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.51%	-15.22%	+3.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.92%	3.23%	+0.69%

Volatility

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VESIX) at 5.38%. This indicates that CAEZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAEZX	VESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.70%	5.38%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.44%	12.58%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.01%	15.24%	+0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.81%	17.39%	+4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	18.24%	+2.66%

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAEZX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VESIX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAEZX vs. VESIX - Dividend Comparison

CAEZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.95%, more than VESIX's 2.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAEZX Columbia Acorn European Fund	19.95%	20.97%	2.67%	0.84%	0.00%	0.40%	0.45%	1.04%	0.77%	1.26%	1.10%	1.57%
VESIX Vanguard European Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.81%	2.86%	3.60%	3.15%	3.25%	3.04%	2.10%	3.28%	3.95%	2.72%	3.54%	3.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAEZX and VESIX in my portfolio?

CAEZX and VESIX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAEZX or VESIX?

CAEZX has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to VESIX (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAEZX dropped -50.98% vs VESIX's -63.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.73), 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.