RTSSX vs. VTMSX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RTSSX (Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund) and VTMSX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds from BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, RTSSX returned 9.04%/yr vs 10.75%/yr for VTMSX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. RTSSX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTMSX.

Performance

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RTSSX achieves a 15.67% return, which is significantly lower than VTMSX's 21.93% return. Over the past 10 years, RTSSX has underperformed VTMSX with an annualized return of 9.04%, while VTMSX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.75% annualized return.

RTSSX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: -2.24%
• 6M: 9.92%
• YTD: 15.67%
• 1Y: 25.73%
• 3Y*: 10.57%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 9.04%
• ALL TIME*: 7.18%

VTMSX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 15.49%
• YTD: 21.93%
• 1Y: 36.13%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 7.52%
• 10Y*: 10.75%
• ALL TIME*: 10.61%

*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)
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	15.67%	5.24%	7.21%	16.62%	-19.12%	19.88%	15.34%	23.91%	-8.63%	14.71%
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	21.93%	5.93%	8.61%	15.95%	-16.16%	27.08%	11.05%	23.28%	-8.62%	13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between RTSSX and VTMSX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2000	0.97

The correlation between RTSSX and VTMSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RTSSX vs. VTMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RTSSX

RTSSX Risk / Return Rank: 54
RTSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
RTSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
RTSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
RTSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
RTSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VTMSX

VTMSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
VTMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VTMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VTMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX). 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.

	RTSSX	VTMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	1.87	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.77	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.32	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.79	-1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.10	12.88	-4.78

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RTSSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is comparable to the VTMSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RTSSX and VTMSX, 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

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RTSSX drawdown since its inception was -57.98%, roughly equal to the maximum VTMSX drawdown of -57.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTSSX and VTMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RTSSX	VTMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.98%	-57.84%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-8.59%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.38%	-27.93%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.43%	-27.93%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.79%	-43.88%	+3.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.44%	-1.82%	-2.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-8.88%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.53%	+0.30%

Volatility

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Volatility Comparison

Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX) has a higher volatility of 4.13% compared to Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) at 3.47%. This indicates that RTSSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RTSSX	VTMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	3.47%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	11.67%	+1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.18%	17.40%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.59%	21.32%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.27%	23.07%	-1.80%

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RTSSX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMSX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RTSSX vs. VTMSX - Dividend Comparison

RTSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than VTMSX's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	0.40%	0.47%	0.72%	0.11%	0.25%	0.10%	0.36%	0.31%	0.00%	0.55%	0.00%	0.51%
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	1.19%	1.28%	1.44%	1.50%	1.51%	1.16%	1.09%	1.15%	1.26%	1.11%	1.01%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RTSSX and VTMSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, RTSSX and VTMSX 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, RTSSX or VTMSX?

RTSSX has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to VTMSX (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTSSX dropped -57.98% vs VTMSX's -57.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.34), 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.