GSSMX vs. VSCPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSSMX (Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund) and VSCPX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GSSMX returned 11.22%/yr vs 11.39%/yr for VSCPX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GSSMX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VSCPX.

Performance

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund (GSSMX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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 GSSMX having a 14.80% return and VSCPX slightly higher at 14.95%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GSSMX having a 11.22% annualized return and VSCPX not far ahead at 11.39%.

GSSMX

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 32.02%
• 3Y*: 24.84%
• 5Y*: 10.87%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

VSCPX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 6M: 14.90%
• 1Y: 29.69%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

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

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSSMX Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund	14.80%	10.65%	36.03%	11.18%	-15.00%	26.15%	1.65%	22.75%	-14.37%	11.85%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	14.95%	8.86%	12.98%	19.52%	-17.59%	17.75%	19.09%	27.40%	-9.31%	16.27%

Correlation

The correlation between GSSMX and VSCPX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2010	0.96

The correlation between GSSMX and VSCPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GSSMX vs. VSCPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSSMX

GSSMX Risk / Return Rank: 49
GSSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
GSSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
GSSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GSSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GSSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VSCPX

VSCPX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund (GSSMX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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.

	GSSMX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.94	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.75	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.52	-0.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	12.99	-1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the VSCPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSSMX and VSCPX, 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

	GSSMX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	1.94	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.36	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.53	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.54	-0.11

Drawdowns

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSSMX drawdown since its inception was -54.94%, which is greater than VSCPX's maximum drawdown of -41.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSSMX and VSCPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSSMX	VSCPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.94%	-41.81%	-13.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-8.97%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.28%	-25.25%	-11.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.28%	-28.13%	-8.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.16%	-41.81%	-4.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	0.00%	-1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.03%	-6.49%	-3.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.42%	+0.65%

Volatility

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund (GSSMX) has a higher volatility of 5.14% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) at 4.40%. This indicates that GSSMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSSMX	VSCPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	4.40%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	11.72%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	16.27%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.69%	20.72%	+11.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.85%	21.57%	+7.28%

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSSMX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSSMX vs. VSCPX - Dividend Comparison

GSSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.57%, more than VSCPX's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSSMX Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund	19.57%	22.47%	47.63%	4.49%	20.33%	22.93%	0.19%	4.63%	13.73%	11.34%	3.52%	5.49%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.20%	1.35%	1.32%	1.56%	1.56%	1.26%	1.16%	1.41%	1.69%	1.37%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSSMX and VSCPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GSSMX and VSCPX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GSSMX or VSCPX?

GSSMX has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to VSCPX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSSMX dropped -54.94% vs VSCPX's -41.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.91), 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.