PRNHX vs. VSEQX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRNHX (T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund) and VSEQX (Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - PRNHX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VSEQX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PRNHX returned 14.90%/yr vs 13.34%/yr for VSEQX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRNHX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VSEQX.

Performance

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund (PRNHX) and Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX). 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 PRNHX having a 16.23% return and VSEQX slightly higher at 17.04%. Over the past 10 years, PRNHX has outperformed VSEQX with an annualized return of 14.90%, while VSEQX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.34% annualized return.

PRNHX

• 1D: 2.65%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 16.23%
• 6M: 12.84%
• 1Y: 30.14%
• 3Y*: 11.51%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: 14.90%

VSEQX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 2.91%
• YTD: 17.04%
• 6M: 14.56%
• 1Y: 36.52%
• 3Y*: 20.35%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 13.34%

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

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRNHX T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund	16.23%	3.27%	8.80%	21.35%	-36.96%	9.96%	58.05%	56.50%	3.79%	31.59%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	17.04%	15.32%	16.67%	19.31%	-11.90%	30.83%	10.26%	26.76%	-11.86%	12.36%

Correlation

The correlation between PRNHX and VSEQX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 1995	0.89

The correlation between PRNHX and VSEQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRNHX vs. VSEQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRNHX

PRNHX Risk / Return Rank: 33
PRNHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PRNHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PRNHX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PRNHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
PRNHX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VSEQX

VSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 82
VSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund (PRNHX) and Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX). 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.

	PRNHX	VSEQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.41	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	3.32	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.41	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	4.84	-2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	18.59	-9.83

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRNHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the VSEQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRNHX and VSEQX, 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

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRNHX drawdown since its inception was -70.96%, which is greater than VSEQX's maximum drawdown of -63.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRNHX and VSEQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRNHX	VSEQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.96%	-63.55%	-7.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.12%	-7.60%	-5.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.65%	-24.73%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.37%	-24.73%	-23.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.37%	-44.08%	-4.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.46%	-0.59%	-9.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-9.05%	-9.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	1.98%	+1.45%

Volatility

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund (PRNHX) has a higher volatility of 9.16% compared to Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) at 4.63%. This indicates that PRNHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSEQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRNHX	VSEQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.16%	4.63%	+4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.18%	11.10%	+6.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.87%	15.31%	+5.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.79%	19.98%	+4.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.95%	21.44%	+1.51%

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRNHX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VSEQX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRNHX vs. VSEQX - Dividend Comparison

PRNHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.20%, more than VSEQX's 9.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRNHX T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund	10.20%	11.85%	9.82%	0.00%	4.72%	17.09%	13.67%	23.46%	13.94%	8.27%	5.77%	7.72%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	9.53%	11.16%	11.36%	6.11%	11.77%	21.36%	1.77%	2.92%	10.34%	7.05%	3.13%	12.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRNHX and VSEQX in my portfolio?

PRNHX and VSEQX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRNHX or VSEQX?

PRNHX has higher volatility (9.16%) compared to VSEQX (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRNHX dropped -70.96% vs VSEQX's -63.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSEQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.44), 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.