GSXIX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSXIX (abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GSXIX returned 13.74%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for VRTGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSXIX charges 1.11%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

Performance

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSXIX achieves a 16.61% return, which is significantly lower than VRTGX's 18.46% return. Over the past 10 years, GSXIX has outperformed VRTGX with an annualized return of 13.74%, while VRTGX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.55% annualized return.

GSXIX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 2.37%
• YTD: 16.61%
• 6M: 13.47%
• 1Y: 25.25%
• 3Y*: 15.68%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: 13.74%

VRTGX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 5.85%
• YTD: 18.46%
• 6M: 16.83%
• 1Y: 39.45%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSXIX abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund	16.61%	8.99%	16.00%	11.28%	-25.87%	70.47%	28.48%	25.11%	-13.29%	11.29%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.46%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between GSXIX and VRTGX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.91

The correlation between GSXIX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GSXIX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSXIX

GSXIX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GSXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
GSXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GSXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
GSXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GSXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund (GSXIX) 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.

	GSXIX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	1.96	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.68	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.83	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	10.20	-0.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSXIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is comparable to the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSXIX and VRTGX, 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

	GSXIX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46	1.96	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.25	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.47	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.52	+0.20

Drawdowns

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSXIX drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum VRTGX drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSXIX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSXIX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-41.97%	+6.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.21%	-14.80%	+4.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-28.54%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.39%	-40.48%	+8.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	-41.97%	+6.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-0.02%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-10.44%	+3.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	4.10%	-1.29%

Volatility

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund (GSXIX) is 5.39%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a volatility of 6.44%. This indicates that GSXIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VRTGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSXIX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.39%	6.44%	-1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.62%	15.87%	-2.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.01%	21.37%	-3.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.69%	24.55%	+1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.71%	24.51%	-0.80%

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSXIX has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSXIX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

GSXIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSXIX abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.42%	44.27%	6.63%	7.30%	13.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.60%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSXIX and VRTGX in my portfolio?

GSXIX and VRTGX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSXIX or VRTGX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (6.44%) compared to GSXIX (5.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSXIX dropped -35.39% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.46), 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.