KESGX vs. VEMPX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

KESGX (Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund) and VEMPX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, KESGX returned 7.35%/yr vs 6.80%/yr for VEMPX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KESGX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEMPX.

Performance

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund (KESGX) 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 stocks are quite close, with KESGX having a 15.32% return and VEMPX slightly lower at 15.06%.

KESGX

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 15.32%
• 6M: 14.40%
• 1Y: 27.32%
• 3Y*: 16.98%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: —

VEMPX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 13.30%
• 1Y: 28.60%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 12.12%

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

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
KESGX Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund	15.32%	9.58%	9.35%	16.57%	-17.82%	25.38%	20.98%	9.16%
VEMPX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	15.06%	11.43%	15.50%	26.98%	-26.45%	12.48%	32.24%	6.63%

Correlation

The correlation between KESGX and VEMPX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2019	0.94

The correlation between KESGX and VEMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KESGX vs. VEMPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KESGX

KESGX Risk / Return Rank: 39
KESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
KESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
KESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
KESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
KESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VEMPX

VEMPX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VEMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VEMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VEMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VEMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VEMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund (KESGX) 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.

	KESGX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.77	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.48	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.96	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.07	10.47	-1.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the VEMPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KESGX 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

	KESGX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.77	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.31	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.55	-0.04

Drawdowns

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KESGX drawdown since its inception was -41.09%, roughly equal to the maximum VEMPX drawdown of -41.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KESGX and VEMPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KESGX	VEMPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.09%	-41.62%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.74%	-10.25%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.94%	-26.83%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.14%	-36.32%	+11.18%
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	-7.99%	-7.96%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	2.89%	+0.26%

Volatility

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Volatility Comparison

Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund (KESGX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX) have volatilities of 4.62% and 4.80%, 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

	KESGX	VEMPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	4.80%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	12.52%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.45%	17.19%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.18%	22.35%	-2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.56%	22.36%	+1.20%

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KESGX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMPX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

KESGX vs. VEMPX - Dividend Comparison

KESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than VEMPX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KESGX Kennedy Capital ESG SMID Cap Fund	4.53%	5.23%	0.19%	0.29%	0.46%	6.65%	0.21%	0.21%	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 KESGX and VEMPX in my portfolio?

KESGX and VEMPX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KESGX or VEMPX?

VEMPX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to KESGX (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KESGX dropped -41.09% vs VEMPX's -41.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.65), 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.