STSCX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

STSCX (Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, STSCX returned 12.19%/yr vs 10.94%/yr for VSMAX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. STSCX charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund (STSCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STSCX achieves a 22.23% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 15.44% return. Over the past 10 years, STSCX has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 12.19%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.94% annualized return.

STSCX

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -0.47%
• 6M: 14.94%
• YTD: 22.23%
• 1Y: 32.69%
• 3Y*: 17.87%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: 12.19%
• ALL TIME*: 11.79%

VSMAX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -1.57%
• 6M: 10.35%
• YTD: 15.44%
• 1Y: 26.12%
• 3Y*: 13.94%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: 10.94%
• ALL TIME*: 8.92%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
STSCX Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STSCX Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund	22.23%	11.87%	13.78%	19.04%	-14.45%	31.59%	3.18%	33.00%	-14.38%	13.19%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.44%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between STSCX and VSMAX is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.94

The correlation between STSCX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STSCX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STSCX

STSCX Risk / Return Rank: 83
STSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
STSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
STSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
STSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
STSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund (STSCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.

	STSCX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.40	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.05	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	2.56	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.79	9.40	+2.40

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STSCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STSCX and VSMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STSCX drawdown since its inception was -54.02%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STSCX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STSCX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.02%	-59.68%	+5.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-8.97%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.48%	-25.25%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.48%	-28.14%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.28%	-41.82%	-2.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.18%	-2.36%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-9.64%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	2.45%	+0.10%

Volatility

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund (STSCX) has a higher volatility of 3.68% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 3.32%. This indicates that STSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STSCX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	3.32%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	11.98%	-1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	16.47%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.86%	20.67%	-0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.04%	21.51%	+0.53%

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STSCX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

STSCX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

STSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.59%, more than VSMAX's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STSCX Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund	16.59%	20.28%	23.71%	39.14%	27.85%	23.34%	16.67%	13.04%	9.11%	9.20%	5.09%	1.54%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.21%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STSCX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

STSCX and VSMAX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STSCX or VSMAX?

STSCX has higher volatility (3.68%) compared to VSMAX (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STSCX dropped -54.02% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.40), 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.