OWSMX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OWSMX (Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - OWSMX is a Global Equities fund managed by Old Westbury, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, OWSMX returned 7.80%/yr vs 15.56%/yr for VOO. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OWSMX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

OWSMX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund (OWSMX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OWSMX achieves a 11.72% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, OWSMX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 7.80%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.56% annualized return.

OWSMX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 13.64%
• 1Y: 23.05%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: 3.95%
• 10Y*: 7.80%

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

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

OWSMX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OWSMX Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund	11.72%	18.06%	7.76%	11.67%	-22.54%	4.10%	22.11%	24.52%	-12.04%	18.20%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between OWSMX and VOO is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.86

The correlation between OWSMX and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

OWSMX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

OWSMX

OWSMX Risk / Return Rank: 34
OWSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
OWSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
OWSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
OWSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
OWSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

OWSMX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund (OWSMX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	OWSMX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.39	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	3.25	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	3.16	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.80	14.73	-6.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OWSMX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OWSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OWSMX and VOO, 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

	OWSMX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.39	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.83	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.87	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.89	-0.35

Drawdowns

OWSMX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OWSMX drawdown since its inception was -38.35%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OWSMX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	OWSMX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.35%	-33.99%	-4.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-8.90%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.97%	-18.69%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.57%	-24.52%	-10.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.96%	-33.99%	-1.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.70%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.18%	-3.69%	-4.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	1.91%	+1.08%

Volatility

OWSMX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund (OWSMX) has a higher volatility of 3.95% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.84%. This indicates that OWSMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OWSMX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	2.84%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.79%	8.90%	+1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.53%	11.80%	+1.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	16.81%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.43%	18.01%	-1.58%

OWSMX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

OWSMX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

OWSMX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

OWSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.53%, more than VOO's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OWSMX Old Westbury Small & Mid Cap Strategies Fund	7.53%	8.41%	3.92%	0.65%	0.52%	6.04%	3.23%	4.65%	12.54%	7.43%	6.32%	10.79%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OWSMX and VOO in my portfolio?

OWSMX and VOO have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OWSMX or VOO?

OWSMX has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to VOO (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OWSMX dropped -38.35% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.73), 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.