SFCWX vs. VB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3 (SFCWX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB).

SFCWX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Apr 30, 1990. VB is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004.

Performance

SFCWX vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3 (SFCWX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SFCWX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3	-4.27%	14.49%	2.72%	19.34%	-29.65%	10.54%	37.95%	31.29%	-9.45%	11.61%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.92%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	9.88%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFCWX achieves a -4.27% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 1.92% return.

SFCWX

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -11.30%
• YTD: -4.27%
• 6M: -1.90%
• 1Y: 17.19%
• 3Y*: 8.04%
• 5Y*: 0.23%
• 10Y*: —

VB

• 1D: 3.18%
• 1M: -5.13%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 3.76%
• 1Y: 19.75%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

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

SFCWX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFCWX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

SFCWX

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3

VB

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

SFCWX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFCWX

SFCWX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SFCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SFCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SFCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SFCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
SFCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 59
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

SFCWX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3 (SFCWX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	SFCWX	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	0.91	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.41	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.19	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	1.39	-0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.58	5.97	-1.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFCWX vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFCWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is comparable to the VB Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFCWX and VB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SFCWX	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	0.91	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.26	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.42	0.00

Correlation

The correlation between SFCWX and VB is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SFCWX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

SFCWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.33%, more than VB's 1.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3	5.33%	5.10%	0.98%	0.98%	0.34%	9.05%	1.58%	4.19%	7.01%	4.47%	0.00%	0.00%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.34%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Drawdowns

SFCWX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFCWX drawdown since its inception was -39.54%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFCWX and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFCWX	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.54%	-59.56%	+20.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.81%	-14.29%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.54%	-28.15%	-11.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.81%	-6.08%	-5.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.65%	-8.49%	-4.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	3.32%	-0.29%

Volatility

SFCWX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class F-3 (SFCWX) is 6.48%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 6.84%. This indicates that SFCWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFCWX	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.48%	6.84%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.31%	12.60%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.64%	21.86%	-4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.99%	20.78%	-2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.46%	21.40%	-2.94%