PQJCX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund (PQJCX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX).

PQJCX is managed by PGIM. It was launched on Nov 15, 2016. VRTGX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 25, 2011.

Performance

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

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

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PQJCX PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund	-4.73%	1.89%	28.82%	14.96%	-24.07%	21.70%	38.85%	25.61%	-12.36%	18.36%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	-6.77%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	21.63%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQJCX achieves a -4.73% return, which is significantly higher than VRTGX's -6.77% return.

PQJCX

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: -9.22%
• YTD: -4.73%
• 6M: -1.46%
• 1Y: 9.56%
• 3Y*: 11.50%
• 5Y*: 4.15%
• 10Y*: —

VRTGX

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -10.13%
• YTD: -6.77%
• 6M: -5.62%
• 1Y: 18.63%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 0.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQJCX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

PQJCX

PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund

VRTGX

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares

Return for Risk

PQJCX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PQJCX

PQJCX Risk / Return Rank: 16
PQJCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
PQJCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PQJCX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
PQJCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PQJCX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund (PQJCX) 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.

	PQJCX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.71	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.74	1.15	-0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.14	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	1.02	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	3.52	-1.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQJCX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQJCX and VRTGX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PQJCX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	0.71	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.03	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.45	-0.02

Correlation

The correlation between PQJCX and VRTGX is 0.95, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

PQJCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than VRTGX's 0.77% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PQJCX PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund	3.16%	3.01%	18.27%	0.83%	0.51%	26.55%	3.86%	0.00%	7.11%	1.72%	0.00%	0.00%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.77%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Drawdowns

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQJCX drawdown since its inception was -43.56%, roughly equal to the maximum VRTGX drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQJCX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQJCX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.56%	-41.97%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.64%	-14.80%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.11%	-40.48%	+4.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.13%	-14.80%	+3.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-10.53%	-0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	4.30%	-0.47%

Volatility

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund (PQJCX) is 6.81%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a volatility of 7.60%. This indicates that PQJCX 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

	PQJCX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	7.60%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.80%	16.04%	-3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.92%	25.09%	-3.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	24.47%	-2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.98%	24.41%	-1.43%