CASH vs. VSCIX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

CASH (Meta Financial Group, Inc.) is a stock, while VSCIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) is Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, CASH returned 17.45%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for VSCIX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CASH vs. VSCIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CASH having a 15.67% return and VSCIX slightly lower at 15.38%. Over the past 10 years, CASH has outperformed VSCIX with an annualized return of 17.45%, while VSCIX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.60% annualized return.

CASH

• 1D: -2.54%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 15.67%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 10.58%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: 17.45%

VSCIX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 15.38%
• 6M: 14.33%
• 1Y: 30.90%
• 3Y*: 16.15%
• 5Y*: 6.98%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

CASH vs. VSCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	15.67%	-3.25%	39.47%	23.45%	-27.48%	63.82%	0.94%	89.68%	-36.81%	-9.39%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	15.38%	8.85%	12.96%	19.52%	-17.60%	17.74%	19.07%	27.40%	-9.33%	16.25%

Correlation

The correlation between CASH and VSCIX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 1997	0.28

Over the past year, CASH and VSCIX have become more correlated (0.53) than their long-term average of 0.28, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

CASH vs. VSCIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CASH

CASH Risk / Return Rank: 52
CASH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CASH Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
CASH Omega Ratio Rank: 49
CASH Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
CASH Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VSCIX

VSCIX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VSCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VSCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VSCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VSCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VSCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

CASH vs. VSCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX). 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.

	CASH	VSCIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.73	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.69	2.47	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.30	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	3.22	-2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.95	11.87	-10.92

CASH vs. VSCIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CASH Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the VSCIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CASH and VSCIX, 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

CASH vs. VSCIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CASH drawdown since its inception was -83.66%, which is greater than VSCIX's maximum drawdown of -59.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CASH and VSCIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CASH	VSCIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.66%	-59.66%	-24.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.21%	-8.97%	-13.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.20%	-25.25%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.84%	-28.13%	-22.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.90%	-41.81%	-23.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.86%	0.00%	-17.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.88%	-10.11%	-12.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.12%	2.44%	+8.68%

Volatility

CASH vs. VSCIX - Volatility Comparison

Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) has a higher volatility of 7.63% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) at 5.48%. This indicates that CASH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CASH	VSCIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	5.48%	+2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.75%	12.25%	+10.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.84%	16.69%	+12.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.64%	20.77%	+12.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.31%	21.59%	+19.72%

Dividends

CASH vs. VSCIX - Dividend Comparison

CASH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than VSCIX's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	0.24%	0.28%	0.27%	0.38%	0.46%	0.34%	0.55%	0.55%	0.96%	0.56%	0.51%	1.13%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.19%	1.34%	1.31%	1.55%	1.55%	1.25%	1.15%	1.40%	1.68%	1.36%	1.50%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CASH and VSCIX in my portfolio?

CASH and VSCIX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CASH or VSCIX?

CASH has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to VSCIX (5.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CASH dropped -83.66% vs VSCIX's -59.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.37), 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.