TMSL vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TMSL (T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TMSL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TMSL is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Over the past year, TMSL returned 27.82% vs 25.87% for VOO. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TMSL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

TMSL vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMSL achieves a 12.84% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 8.45% return.

TMSL

• 1D: -3.34%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: 12.84%
• 6M: 12.06%
• 1Y: 27.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 25.87%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

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

TMSL vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TMSL T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF	12.84%	11.95%	15.81%	11.22%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.82%	24.98%	8.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TMSL and VOO is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2023	0.80

The correlation between TMSL and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

TMSL vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TMSL	VOO
Technology	24.3%	35.7%
Industrials	19.7%	8.3%
Financial Services	14.4%	11.6%
Healthcare	13.4%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	10.2%
Energy	6.8%	3.5%
Real Estate	4.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	3.9%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	4.9%
Utilities	1.6%	2.4%
Communication Services	1.0%	11.3%

Return for Risk

TMSL vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMSL

TMSL Risk / Return Rank: 52
TMSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
TMSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
TMSL Omega Ratio Rank: 48
TMSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
TMSL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 66
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

TMSL vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	TMSL	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.15	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.89	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.92	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.21	13.53	-3.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TMSL vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMSL and VOO, 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

	TMSL	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.15	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	0.88	+0.09

Drawdowns

TMSL vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMSL drawdown since its inception was -24.39%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMSL and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMSL	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.39%	-33.99%	+9.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-8.90%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.62%	-2.90%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.93%	-3.69%	-0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	1.92%	+0.81%

Volatility

TMSL vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.74%. This indicates that TMSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMSL	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	3.74%	+2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	9.30%	+4.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.59%	12.10%	+5.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.47%	16.84%	+1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.47%	18.02%	+0.45%

TMSL vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMSL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMSL vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

TMSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.50%, less than VOO's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TMSL T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF	0.50%	0.57%	0.44%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMSL and VOO in my portfolio?

TMSL and VOO have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMSL or VOO?

TMSL has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to VOO (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMSL dropped -24.39% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, TMSL or VOO?

On 1-year performance, TMSL leads with 27.82% vs 25.87% for VOO. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMSL or VOO?

Over the 1-year period, TMSL has performed better with a 27.82% return vs 25.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMSL or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for TMSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMSL or VOO?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.50% for TMSL.

What is the main difference between TMSL and VOO?

TMSL is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for TMSL and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.59), 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.