SMEAX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SMEAX (Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - SMEAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Invesco, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, SMEAX returned 10.32%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for VEA. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMEAX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

SMEAX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A (SMEAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SMEAX having a 15.42% return and VEA slightly higher at 15.96%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SMEAX having a 10.32% annualized return and VEA not far behind at 10.27%.

SMEAX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 15.42%
• 6M: 15.24%
• 1Y: 27.16%
• 3Y*: 17.39%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

VEA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 15.96%
• 6M: 19.86%
• 1Y: 32.71%
• 3Y*: 20.13%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

SMEAX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMEAX Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A	15.42%	7.84%	17.80%	15.95%	-20.62%	19.62%	27.25%	26.05%	-15.42%	13.59%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	15.96%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SMEAX and VEA is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2007	0.76

The correlation between SMEAX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMEAX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMEAX

SMEAX Risk / Return Rank: 25
SMEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
SMEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
SMEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
SMEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SMEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 61
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SMEAX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A (SMEAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	SMEAX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.10	-0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	2.89	-0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.38	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.94	-0.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.53	11.50	-3.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMEAX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMEAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMEAX and VEA, 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

	SMEAX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.10	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.61	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.59	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.25	+0.11

Drawdowns

SMEAX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMEAX drawdown since its inception was -56.69%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMEAX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMEAX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.69%	-60.68%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.43%	-11.63%	-1.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.61%	-13.45%	-11.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.42%	-29.71%	-1.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.01%	-35.73%	-9.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	0.00%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.41%	-13.29%	+2.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	2.98%	+0.64%

Volatility

SMEAX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A (SMEAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have volatilities of 5.46% and 5.73%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMEAX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	5.73%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.23%	13.30%	+2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.09%	15.66%	+4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.59%	16.55%	+5.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.13%	17.36%	+5.77%

SMEAX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMEAX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMEAX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

SMEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.10%, more than VEA's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMEAX Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund Class A	8.10%	9.34%	8.09%	0.40%	2.95%	19.02%	6.03%	11.18%	18.53%	5.38%	5.38%	6.51%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.59%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMEAX and VEA in my portfolio?

SMEAX and VEA have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMEAX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to SMEAX (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMEAX dropped -56.69% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.39), 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.