PSGIX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSGIX (BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - PSGIX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, PSGIX returned 13.16%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for VEA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSGIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

PSGIX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (PSGIX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSGIX achieves a 24.15% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 13.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PSGIX has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 13.16%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.72% annualized return.

PSGIX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 6.02%
• YTD: 24.15%
• 6M: 20.63%
• 1Y: 46.55%
• 3Y*: 21.61%
• 5Y*: 6.75%
• 10Y*: 13.16%

VEA

• 1D: -3.07%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 13.11%
• 6M: 12.98%
• 1Y: 30.28%
• 3Y*: 19.47%
• 5Y*: 9.50%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

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

PSGIX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSGIX BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund	24.15%	15.24%	14.07%	18.73%	-24.93%	2.95%	33.47%	33.92%	-5.01%	14.19%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	13.11%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PSGIX and VEA is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.73

The correlation between PSGIX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSGIX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSGIX

PSGIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PSGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PSGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PSGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PSGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PSGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 55
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

PSGIX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (PSGIX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	PSGIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.81	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.48	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.33	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	2.62	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.99	10.06	+2.92

PSGIX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSGIX and VEA, 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

PSGIX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSGIX drawdown since its inception was -77.50%, which is greater than VEA's maximum drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSGIX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSGIX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.50%	-60.68%	-16.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.74%	-11.63%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.77%	-13.45%	-14.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.55%	-29.71%	-10.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.59%	-35.73%	-5.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.07%	+3.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.22%	-13.26%	-11.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	3.02%	+0.66%

Volatility

PSGIX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (PSGIX) has a higher volatility of 7.68% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 7.09%. This indicates that PSGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSGIX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.68%	7.09%	+0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.89%	14.74%	+2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.31%	16.79%	+5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.62%	16.76%	+7.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.47%	17.21%	+7.26%

PSGIX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSGIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSGIX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

PSGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than VEA's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSGIX BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund	0.09%	0.11%	0.25%	0.25%	0.47%	18.37%	5.36%	5.37%	24.24%	11.12%	0.05%	6.08%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.58%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSGIX and VEA in my portfolio?

PSGIX and VEA have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSGIX or VEA?

PSGIX has higher volatility (7.68%) compared to VEA (7.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSGIX dropped -77.50% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.81), 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.