SLYG vs. VRTGX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SLYG returned 10.87%/yr vs 11.40%/yr for VRTGX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

Performance

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SLYG having a 16.95% return and VRTGX slightly lower at 16.85%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SLYG having a 10.87% annualized return and VRTGX not far ahead at 11.40%.

SLYG

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 16.95%
• 6M: 14.97%
• 1Y: 28.13%
• 3Y*: 15.87%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

VRTGX

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 13.68%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 18.22%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

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

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	16.95%	5.20%	9.38%	17.27%	-21.26%	22.42%	19.48%	20.97%	-4.20%	14.62%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	16.85%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SLYG and VRTGX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.94

The correlation between SLYG and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLYG

SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 53
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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.

	SLYG	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.77	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.45	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.29	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	2.55	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.86	9.17	+1.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG and VRTGX, 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

	SLYG	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	1.77	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.23	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.47	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.51	-0.20

Drawdowns

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.15%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLYG	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.15%	-41.97%	-20.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-14.80%	+5.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	-28.54%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.18%	-40.48%	+11.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-41.97%	+0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-1.38%	+1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-10.43%	-4.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	4.10%	-1.50%

Volatility

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) is 4.47%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a volatility of 6.62%. This indicates that SLYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VRTGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLYG	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	6.62%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.52%	15.82%	-3.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	21.42%	-3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	24.56%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	24.51%	-1.77%

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SLYG vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, more than VRTGX's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	0.70%	0.86%	1.22%	1.18%	1.18%	0.68%	0.71%	1.08%	1.06%	4.74%	1.13%	5.75%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.61%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLYG and VRTGX in my portfolio?

SLYG and VRTGX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLYG or VRTGX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to SLYG (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.15% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.61), 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.