PSCZX vs. VSCIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSCZX (PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z) and VSCIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - PSCZX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by PGIM, while VSCIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PSCZX returned 12.77%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for VSCIX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSCZX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VSCIX.

Performance

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z (PSCZX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCZX achieves a 11.62% return, which is significantly lower than VSCIX's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, PSCZX has outperformed VSCIX with an annualized return of 12.77%, while VSCIX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.38% annualized return.

PSCZX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: 11.62%
• 6M: 11.85%
• 1Y: 25.86%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

VSCIX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 14.90%
• 1Y: 29.67%
• 3Y*: 17.32%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

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

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSCZX PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z	11.62%	7.29%	16.22%	11.85%	-18.57%	29.43%	27.53%	40.68%	-13.42%	19.81%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	14.94%	8.85%	12.96%	19.52%	-17.60%	17.74%	19.07%	27.40%	-9.33%	16.25%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCZX and VSCIX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 1997	0.95

The correlation between PSCZX and VSCIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSCZX vs. VSCIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCZX

PSCZX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PSCZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PSCZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PSCZX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PSCZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
PSCZX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VSCIX

VSCIX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z (PSCZX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX). 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.

	PSCZX	VSCIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.94	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.75	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.33	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	3.51	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.97	12.98	-2.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the VSCIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCZX and VSCIX, 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

	PSCZX	VSCIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	1.94	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.36	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.53	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.41	+0.07

Drawdowns

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCZX drawdown since its inception was -56.47%, smaller than the maximum VSCIX drawdown of -59.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCZX and VSCIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCZX	VSCIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.47%	-59.66%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.83%	-8.97%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.25%	-25.25%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-28.13%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.40%	-41.81%	-5.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	0.00%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.06%	-10.12%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	2.42%	+0.06%

Volatility

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z (PSCZX) has a higher volatility of 5.04% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) at 4.40%. This indicates that PSCZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCZX	VSCIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.40%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.42%	11.72%	+0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.44%	16.27%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.28%	20.72%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.13%	21.57%	+0.56%

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCZX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCZX vs. VSCIX - Dividend Comparison

PSCZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.16%, more than VSCIX's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSCZX PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund Class Z	6.16%	6.87%	4.72%	0.50%	3.67%	31.87%	13.30%	16.41%	19.48%	7.97%	5.32%	14.40%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.19%	1.34%	1.31%	1.55%	1.55%	1.25%	1.15%	1.40%	1.68%	1.36%	1.50%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCZX and VSCIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PSCZX and VSCIX 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, PSCZX or VSCIX?

PSCZX has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to VSCIX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCZX dropped -56.47% vs VSCIX's -59.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.66), 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.