FTHMX vs. VEMPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTHMX (FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares) and VEMPX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past year, FTHMX returned 27.99% vs 30.15% for VEMPX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTHMX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEMPX.

Performance

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares (FTHMX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTHMX having a 14.83% return and VEMPX slightly higher at 14.93%.

FTHMX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 14.83%
• 6M: 14.83%
• 1Y: 27.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEMPX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 6M: 13.66%
• 1Y: 30.15%
• 3Y*: 20.16%
• 5Y*: 6.93%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

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

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTHMX FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares	14.83%	12.89%	12.48%	11.60%
VEMPX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	14.93%	11.43%	15.50%	18.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHMX and VEMPX 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2023	0.89

The correlation between FTHMX and VEMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTHMX vs. VEMPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHMX

FTHMX Risk / Return Rank: 72
FTHMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FTHMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FTHMX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FTHMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FTHMX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VEMPX

VEMPX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VEMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VEMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VEMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VEMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VEMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares (FTHMX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX). 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.

	FTHMX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.87	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.61	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.69	3.13	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.43	11.09	+5.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the VEMPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHMX and VEMPX, 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

	FTHMX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.87	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.31	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	0.55	+0.76

Drawdowns

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHMX drawdown since its inception was -20.45%, smaller than the maximum VEMPX drawdown of -41.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHMX and VEMPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHMX	VEMPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.45%	-41.62%	+21.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.33%	-10.25%	+3.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.83%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.62%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-7.97%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	2.89%	-1.09%

Volatility

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares (FTHMX) is 3.45%, while Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX) has a volatility of 4.69%. This indicates that FTHMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEMPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTHMX	VEMPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	4.69%	-1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	12.46%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.65%	17.17%	-4.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.43%	22.34%	-6.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.43%	22.36%	-6.93%

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTHMX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMPX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTHMX vs. VEMPX - Dividend Comparison

FTHMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%, less than VEMPX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTHMX FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund Institutional Shares	0.29%	0.33%	0.28%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEMPX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.02%	1.15%	1.11%	1.27%	1.17%	1.15%	1.09%	1.32%	1.68%	1.27%	1.46%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTHMX and VEMPX in my portfolio?

FTHMX and VEMPX 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, FTHMX or VEMPX?

VEMPX has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to FTHMX (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHMX dropped -20.45% vs VEMPX's -41.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.87), 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.