FKASX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund (FKASX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX).

FKASX is managed by Federated. It was launched on Dec 18, 2002. VRTGX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 25, 2011.

Performance

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund (FKASX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FKASX Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund	-11.05%	12.01%	14.45%	14.48%	-31.40%	2.57%	43.41%	33.44%	7.30%	37.87%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	-6.77%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FKASX achieves a -11.05% return, which is significantly lower than VRTGX's -6.77% return. Over the past 10 years, FKASX has outperformed VRTGX with an annualized return of 11.89%, while VRTGX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.37% annualized return.

FKASX

• 1D: -1.79%
• 1M: -13.35%
• YTD: -11.05%
• 6M: -8.95%
• 1Y: 12.39%
• 3Y*: 7.91%
• 5Y*: -2.05%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

VRTGX

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -10.13%
• YTD: -6.77%
• 6M: -5.62%
• 1Y: 18.63%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 0.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FKASX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

FKASX

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund

VRTGX

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares

Return for Risk

FKASX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FKASX

FKASX Risk / Return Rank: 18
FKASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
FKASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
FKASX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FKASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
FKASX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund (FKASX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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.

	FKASX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.71	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.75	1.15	-0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.14	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	1.02	-0.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.22	3.52	-1.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FKASX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FKASX and VRTGX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FKASX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	0.71	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.03	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.39	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.45	+0.09

Correlation

The correlation between FKASX and VRTGX is 0.87, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

FKASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.27%, more than VRTGX's 0.77% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FKASX Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund	23.27%	20.70%	11.82%	0.15%	0.00%	8.40%	0.12%	0.21%	6.36%	6.50%	0.76%	8.55%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.77%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Drawdowns

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FKASX drawdown since its inception was -60.21%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FKASX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FKASX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.21%	-41.97%	-18.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-14.80%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.51%	-40.48%	-4.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.86%	-41.97%	-2.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.27%	-14.80%	-6.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.72%	-10.53%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	4.30%	-0.53%

Volatility

FKASX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund (FKASX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) have volatilities of 7.25% and 7.60%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FKASX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	7.60%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.97%	16.04%	-1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.28%	25.09%	-3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	24.47%	-1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.20%	24.41%	-2.21%