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SMLF vs. VSTCX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMLF vs. VSTCX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

SMLF (iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF) and VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SMLF is passively managed, while VSTCX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMLF returned 12.07%/yr vs 12.56%/yr for VSTCX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SMLF charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VSTCX.

Performance

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) and Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMLF achieves a 15.73% return, which is significantly lower than VSTCX's 21.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SMLF having a 12.07% annualized return and VSTCX not far ahead at 12.56%.

SMLF

1D
-0.34%
1M
-2.11%
6M
11.39%
YTD
15.73%
1Y
27.75%
3Y*
16.57%
5Y*
10.96%
10Y*
12.07%
ALL TIME*
11.32%

VSTCX

1D
1.18%
1M
-1.13%
6M
17.27%
YTD
21.78%
1Y
42.42%
3Y*
19.74%
5Y*
12.93%
10Y*
12.56%
ALL TIME*
9.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

SMLF

iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF
$11.55M$13.63M$14.55M

VSTCX

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
$0.00$0.00$0.00

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SMLF
iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF		15.73%12.30%16.33%19.99%-12.19%26.53%8.38%21.56%-8.42%12.70%
VSTCX
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund		21.78%15.20%15.40%21.34%-13.00%33.53%8.38%22.18%-11.87%9.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SMLF and VSTCX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.96

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.98

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2015

0.92

The correlation between SMLF and VSTCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMLF
VSTCX

Technology

19.2%
14.9%

Industrials

18.9%
16.1%

Healthcare

14.4%
14.1%

Financial Services

14.1%
18.3%

Consumer Cyclical

11.7%
11.1%

Real Estate

5.7%
6.5%

Basic Materials

4.2%
5.2%

Energy

3.9%
6.2%

Communication Services

2.9%
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

2.9%
3.0%

Utilities

2.0%
2.3%

Technology

SMLF
19.2%
VSTCX
14.9%

Industrials

SMLF
18.9%
VSTCX
16.1%

Healthcare

SMLF
14.4%
VSTCX
14.1%

Financial Services

SMLF
14.1%
VSTCX
18.3%

Consumer Cyclical

SMLF
11.7%
VSTCX
11.1%

Real Estate

SMLF
5.7%
VSTCX
6.5%

Basic Materials

SMLF
4.2%
VSTCX
5.2%

Energy

SMLF
3.9%
VSTCX
6.2%

Communication Services

SMLF
2.9%
VSTCX
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

SMLF
2.9%
VSTCX
3.0%

Utilities

SMLF
2.0%
VSTCX
2.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

Often compared with SMLF:
SMLF vs. FSMDSMLF vs. SMLVSMLF vs. IWMSMLF vs. SMMVSMLF vs. VBRSMLF vs. GSSCSMLF vs. FZIPX
Often compared with VSTCX:
VSTCX vs. VPMAXVSTCX vs. OBMCXVSTCX vs. VSGAXVSTCX vs. AVUVVSTCX vs. VOOVSTCX vs. VFIAXVSTCX vs. VEIRX

Return for Risk

SMLF vs. VSTCX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
SMLF
SMLF Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
SMLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMLF Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
SMLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8282
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMLF Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
VSTCX
VSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
VSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 8282
Omega Ratio Rank
VSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) and Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX). 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.

SMLFVSTCXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
2.18

-0.69

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.16
3.10

-0.94

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.37

-0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.00

4.76

-1.76

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.03

16.72

-6.68

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMLF Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the VSTCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMLF and VSTCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMLF drawdown since its inception was -41.89%, smaller than the maximum VSTCX drawdown of -62.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLF and VSTCX.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMLFVSTCXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-41.89%

-62.50%

+20.61%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.71%

-8.08%

-0.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.28%

-27.47%

+1.19%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.28%

-27.47%

+1.19%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.89%

-48.08%

+6.19%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.26%

-2.86%

-0.40%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.53%

-10.58%

+4.05%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.60%

2.30%

+0.30%

Volatility

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) and Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) have volatilities of 4.00% and 3.84%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

SMLFVSTCXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.00%

3.84%

+0.16%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.80%

12.46%

+0.34%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.54%

17.64%

-0.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.01%

21.88%

-0.87%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.76%

23.42%

-1.66%

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMLF has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than VSTCX's 0.21% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMLF vs. VSTCX - Dividend Comparison

SMLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than VSTCX's 6.20% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SMLF
iShares U.S. Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF		1.02%1.14%1.33%1.13%1.23%1.07%1.33%1.39%1.17%0.93%0.78%0.79%
VSTCX
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund		6.20%7.55%9.66%2.50%7.44%19.92%1.24%4.14%11.74%5.76%1.35%2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, SMLF and VSTCX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

SMLF has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to VSTCX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMLF dropped -41.89% vs VSTCX's -62.50%.

VSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.49), 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.

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