PQJCX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PQJCX (PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PQJCX returned 6.42%/yr vs 5.27%/yr for VRTGX. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PQJCX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

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.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PQJCX having a 15.23% return and VRTGX slightly higher at 15.88%.

PQJCX

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: -2.21%
• 6M: 11.26%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 1Y: 30.81%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.80%

VRTGX

• 1D: 2.66%
• 1M: -3.48%
• 6M: 11.45%
• YTD: 15.88%
• 1Y: 32.01%
• 3Y*: 14.65%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: 10.75%
• ALL TIME*: 11.85%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PQJCX PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

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	15.23%	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	15.88%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PQJCX and VRTGX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.95

The correlation between PQJCX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PQJCX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PQJCX

PQJCX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PQJCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PQJCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PQJCX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PQJCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PQJCX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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.

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.

	PQJCX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.27	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	1.85	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.22	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.39	1.93	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.51	6.67	+1.85

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQJCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQJCX and VRTGX, 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

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	-11.13%	-14.80%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.98%	-28.54%	+2.56%
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	-4.38%	-5.20%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.90%	-10.36%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	4.28%	-1.14%

Volatility

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund (PQJCX) is 5.39%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a volatility of 5.76%. 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	5.39%	5.76%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.57%	17.18%	-2.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.87%	22.44%	-3.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.11%	24.70%	-2.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.89%	24.56%	-1.67%

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PQJCX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

PQJCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than VRTGX's 0.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PQJCX PGIM Jennison Small-Cap Core Equity Fund	2.61%	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	0.63%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQJCX and VRTGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PQJCX and VRTGX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PQJCX or VRTGX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to PQJCX (5.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQJCX dropped -43.56% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQJCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.27), 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.