RYIPX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RYIPX (Royce International Premier Fund) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, RYIPX returned -4.61%/yr vs 6.12%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RYIPX charges 1.44%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce International Premier Fund (RYIPX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RYIPX achieves a -0.07% return, which is significantly lower than VFSAX's 10.43% return.

RYIPX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -3.41%
• YTD: -0.07%
• 6M: -0.46%
• 1Y: -2.94%
• 3Y*: 1.57%
• 5Y*: -4.61%
• 10Y*: 4.80%

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.50%
• YTD: 10.43%
• 6M: 10.34%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RYIPX Royce International Premier Fund	-0.07%	9.37%	-7.37%	7.68%	-27.27%	5.77%	15.74%	22.93%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.43%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between RYIPX and VFSAX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.86

The correlation between RYIPX and VFSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RYIPX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYIPX

RYIPX Risk / Return Rank: 2
RYIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
RYIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
RYIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
RYIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
RYIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce International Premier Fund (RYIPX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	RYIPX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	1.89	-2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.15	2.60	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.35	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	2.31	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.32	8.62	-8.94

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYIPX Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYIPX and VFSAX, 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

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYIPX drawdown since its inception was -42.14%, which is greater than VFSAX's maximum drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYIPX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYIPX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.14%	-39.86%	-2.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.68%	-11.48%	-5.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.41%	-14.73%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.14%	-33.81%	-8.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.62%	-2.22%	-25.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.40%	-9.21%	-3.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.03%	3.07%	+3.96%

Volatility

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Royce International Premier Fund (RYIPX) is 4.07%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) has a volatility of 5.38%. This indicates that RYIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RYIPX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	5.38%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	12.08%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	14.03%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.49%	15.15%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.21%	17.05%	-1.84%

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYIPX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYIPX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

RYIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than VFSAX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RYIPX Royce International Premier Fund	0.79%	0.79%	4.10%	2.18%	3.18%	4.51%	0.00%	0.20%	0.00%	0.71%	2.40%	2.61%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.09%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYIPX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

RYIPX and VFSAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYIPX or VFSAX?

VFSAX has higher volatility (5.38%) compared to RYIPX (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYIPX dropped -42.14% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs -0.17), 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.