SSCDX vs. NAESX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSCDX (Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund) and NAESX (Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SSCDX returned 10.80%/yr vs 11.23%/yr for NAESX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SSCDX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for NAESX.

Performance

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) and Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSCDX achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than NAESX's 14.87% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SSCDX having a 10.80% annualized return and NAESX not far ahead at 11.23%.

SSCDX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.19%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 19.16%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

NAESX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 14.87%
• 6M: 14.82%
• 1Y: 29.50%
• 3Y*: 17.17%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

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

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSCDX Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund	16.85%	12.90%	15.50%	15.50%	-17.15%	23.46%	16.21%	27.12%	-17.10%	13.69%
NAESX Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund	14.87%	8.71%	12.83%	19.35%	-17.71%	17.60%	18.92%	27.22%	-9.44%	16.10%

Correlation

The correlation between SSCDX and NAESX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2015	0.96

The correlation between SSCDX and NAESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSCDX vs. NAESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSCDX

SSCDX Risk / Return Rank: 64
SSCDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SSCDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
SSCDX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SSCDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SSCDX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

NAESX

NAESX Risk / Return Rank: 54
NAESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
NAESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
NAESX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
NAESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
NAESX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) and Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX). 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.

	SSCDX	NAESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.93	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.73	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.33	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.28	3.49	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.11	12.88	+2.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSCDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the NAESX Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSCDX and NAESX, 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

	SSCDX	NAESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	1.93	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.35	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.52	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.43	+0.05

Drawdowns

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSCDX drawdown since its inception was -38.79%, smaller than the maximum NAESX drawdown of -59.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSCDX and NAESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSCDX	NAESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.79%	-59.77%	+20.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.22%	-8.98%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.99%	-25.28%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.06%	-28.19%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.79%	-41.82%	+3.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	0.00%	-2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.00%	-11.82%	+4.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	2.43%	-0.10%

Volatility

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Volatility Comparison

Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund (SSCDX) has a higher volatility of 5.04% compared to Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX) at 4.41%. This indicates that SSCDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NAESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSCDX	NAESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.41%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	11.72%	+0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.33%	16.27%	+0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.09%	20.72%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.70%	21.60%	-0.90%

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSCDX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than NAESX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSCDX vs. NAESX - Dividend Comparison

SSCDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, more than NAESX's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NAESX Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund	1.08%	1.22%	1.19%	1.43%	1.41%	1.12%	1.05%	1.27%	1.53%	1.24%	1.39%	1.35%
SSCDX Sit Small Cap Dividend Growth Fund	1.83%	2.21%	1.79%	1.07%	4.26%	8.47%	0.77%	1.33%	2.69%	0.85%	1.16%	0.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSCDX and NAESX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SSCDX and NAESX 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.

Which is riskier, SSCDX or NAESX?

SSCDX has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to NAESX (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSCDX dropped -38.79% vs NAESX's -59.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSCDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.93), 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.