SMCWX vs. VFSNX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX).

SMCWX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Apr 30, 1990. VFSNX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 2, 2009.

Performance

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	-1.05%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.30%	29.97%	2.63%	15.18%	-21.26%	12.74%	11.92%	21.72%	-18.46%	30.30%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCWX achieves a -1.05% return, which is significantly lower than VFSNX's 1.30% return. Over the past 10 years, SMCWX has outperformed VFSNX with an annualized return of 9.04%, while VFSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.58% annualized return.

SMCWX

• 1D: 3.47%
• 1M: -7.83%
• YTD: -1.05%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 20.45%
• 3Y*: 8.86%
• 5Y*: 0.17%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

VFSNX

• 1D: 2.40%
• 1M: -8.23%
• YTD: 1.30%
• 6M: 3.65%
• 1Y: 29.26%
• 3Y*: 13.66%
• 5Y*: 5.38%
• 10Y*: 7.58%

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

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCWX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSNX's 0.11% expense ratio.

SMCWX

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A

VFSNX

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares

Return for Risk

SMCWX vs. VFSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCWX

SMCWX Risk / Return Rank: 64
SMCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SMCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SMCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SMCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SMCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VFSNX

VFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
VFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). 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.

	SMCWX	VFSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	2.06	-0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	2.63	-0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.41	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	2.49	-0.83
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.37	9.81	-3.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the VFSNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCWX and VFSNX, 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

	SMCWX	VFSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	2.06	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.36	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.49	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.56	+0.01

Correlation

The correlation between SMCWX and VFSNX is 0.87, 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

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Dividend Comparison

SMCWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, more than VFSNX's 3.32% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.90%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.32%	3.36%	3.41%	3.11%	2.26%	2.70%	1.90%	3.25%	2.81%	2.85%	2.93%	2.69%

Drawdowns

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCWX drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than VFSNX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCWX and VFSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCWX	VFSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-43.65%	-18.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-11.47%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.79%	-33.75%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.79%	-43.65%	+3.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.12%	-9.35%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.98%	-9.56%	-5.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	2.91%	+0.17%

Volatility

SMCWX vs. VFSNX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) has a higher volatility of 7.62% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) at 6.66%. This indicates that SMCWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCWX	VFSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	6.66%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.82%	10.11%	+1.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.93%	14.58%	+3.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.05%	14.89%	+3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.76%	15.67%	+2.09%