PMEGX vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PMEGX (T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both funds - PMEGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Over the past 10 years, PMEGX returned 10.07%/yr vs 10.53%/yr for VBR. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMEGX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

PMEGX vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund (PMEGX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMEGX achieves a 2.26% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 11.67% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PMEGX having a 10.07% annualized return and VBR not far ahead at 10.53%.

PMEGX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 7.81%
• 3Y*: 8.90%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

VBR

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.95%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

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

PMEGX vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMEGX T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund	2.26%	3.73%	9.15%	20.69%	-23.19%	15.50%	23.95%	33.08%	-2.23%	26.02%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.67%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between PMEGX and VBR is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.88

The correlation between PMEGX and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMEGX vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMEGX

PMEGX Risk / Return Rank: 9
PMEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PMEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
PMEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PMEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
PMEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 52
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PMEGX vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund (PMEGX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

	PMEGX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	1.71	-1.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	2.52	-1.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.30	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	2.93	-2.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.03	10.32	-7.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMEGX vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMEGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMEGX and VBR, 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

	PMEGX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	1.71	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.40	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.49	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.42	+0.11

Drawdowns

PMEGX vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMEGX drawdown since its inception was -55.88%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMEGX and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMEGX	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.88%	-61.98%	+6.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.21%	-8.85%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.99%	-24.19%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.87%	-24.19%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.16%	-45.28%	+8.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.90%	-0.39%	-6.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.01%	-8.27%	-0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	2.50%	+0.46%

Volatility

PMEGX vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund (PMEGX) is 3.40%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 3.96%. This indicates that PMEGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMEGX	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	3.96%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	10.46%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	15.17%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.07%	19.77%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.81%	21.73%	-1.92%

PMEGX vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMEGX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMEGX vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

PMEGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.63%, more than VBR's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMEGX T. Rowe Price Institutional Mid Cap Equity Growth Fund	20.63%	21.10%	14.15%	7.07%	1.65%	12.80%	4.44%	5.11%	10.42%	6.30%	1.04%	6.18%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMEGX and VBR in my portfolio?

PMEGX and VBR have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMEGX or VBR?

VBR has higher volatility (3.96%) compared to PMEGX (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMEGX dropped -55.88% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 0.67), 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.