NAESX vs. VMGIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NAESX (Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund) and VMGIX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund) are both mutual funds - NAESX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VMGIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, NAESX returned 11.65%/yr vs 12.60%/yr for VMGIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NAESX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for VMGIX.

Performance

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund (VMGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NAESX achieves a 15.64% return, which is significantly higher than VMGIX's 10.07% return. Over the past 10 years, NAESX has underperformed VMGIX with an annualized return of 11.65%, while VMGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.60% annualized return.

NAESX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 2.86%
• YTD: 15.64%
• 6M: 13.49%
• 1Y: 28.89%
• 3Y*: 17.39%
• 5Y*: 7.24%
• 10Y*: 11.65%

VMGIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 5.31%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 6M: 8.15%
• 1Y: 12.23%
• 3Y*: 16.35%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 12.60%

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

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NAESX Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund	15.64%	8.71%	12.83%	19.35%	-17.71%	17.60%	18.92%	27.22%	-9.44%	16.10%
VMGIX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund	10.07%	10.56%	15.51%	23.79%	-28.93%	20.32%	34.30%	33.69%	-5.73%	21.72%

Correlation

The correlation between NAESX and VMGIX 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2006	0.91

The correlation between NAESX and VMGIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NAESX vs. VMGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NAESX

NAESX Risk / Return Rank: 55
NAESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
NAESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
NAESX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
NAESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
NAESX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VMGIX

VMGIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VMGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VMGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VMGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VMGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VMGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund (VMGIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NAESX	VMGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	0.78	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	1.18	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.14	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	0.83	+2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.35	2.46	+9.89

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NAESX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the VMGIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NAESX and VMGIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NAESX drawdown since its inception was -59.77%, roughly equal to the maximum VMGIX drawdown of -60.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NAESX and VMGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NAESX	VMGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.77%	-60.20%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-15.99%	+7.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.28%	-21.67%	-3.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.19%	-37.25%	+9.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.82%	-37.25%	-4.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	0.00%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.81%	-9.99%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	5.36%	-2.92%

Volatility

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX) is 4.96%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund (VMGIX) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that NAESX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NAESX	VMGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	6.71%	-1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.22%	13.64%	-1.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	16.94%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	21.57%	-0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.63%	21.07%	+0.56%

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NAESX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than VMGIX's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NAESX vs. VMGIX - Dividend Comparison

NAESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, more than VMGIX's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NAESX Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund	1.07%	1.22%	1.19%	1.43%	1.41%	1.12%	1.05%	1.27%	1.53%	1.24%	1.39%	1.35%
VMGIX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund	0.49%	0.52%	0.56%	0.60%	0.64%	0.23%	0.46%	0.67%	0.70%	0.61%	0.70%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NAESX and VMGIX in my portfolio?

NAESX and VMGIX 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, NAESX or VMGIX?

VMGIX has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to NAESX (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NAESX dropped -59.77% vs VMGIX's -60.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NAESX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.78), 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.