TQSIX vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TQSIX (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both funds - TQSIX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, TQSIX returned 13.62%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TQSIX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

TQSIX vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund (TQSIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TQSIX achieves a 19.48% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 16.76% return. Over the past 10 years, TQSIX has outperformed VBK with an annualized return of 13.62%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively lower 12.03% annualized return.

TQSIX

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 5.55%
• YTD: 19.48%
• 6M: 17.12%
• 1Y: 34.18%
• 3Y*: 21.62%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 13.62%

VBK

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 16.76%
• 6M: 13.90%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: 12.03%

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

TQSIX vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TQSIX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund	19.48%	12.94%	16.54%	21.99%	-12.97%	22.12%	11.92%	30.43%	-10.78%	15.52%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	16.76%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between TQSIX and VBK is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2016	0.92

The correlation between TQSIX and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TQSIX vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

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

TQSIX

TQSIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TQSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
TQSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TQSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
TQSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
TQSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 49
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

TQSIX vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund (TQSIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

	TQSIX	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.52	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.12	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.26	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	2.67	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.62	9.99	+3.63

TQSIX vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TQSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TQSIX and VBK, 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

TQSIX vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TQSIX drawdown since its inception was -40.65%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TQSIX and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	TQSIX	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.65%	-58.68%	+18.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.41%	-11.44%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.76%	-27.54%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.76%	-38.39%	+14.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.65%	-38.70%	-1.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.61%	+1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-10.13%	+5.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	3.05%	-0.45%

Volatility

TQSIX vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund (TQSIX) is 6.04%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 7.13%. This indicates that TQSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TQSIX	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.04%	7.13%	-1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	15.65%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.06%	20.10%	-3.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.62%	23.63%	-4.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.39%	22.91%	-2.52%

TQSIX vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

TQSIX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TQSIX vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

TQSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, more than VBK's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TQSIX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small & Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund	1.10%	1.32%	6.61%	3.55%	6.35%	1.58%	0.81%	1.24%	2.28%	0.42%	0.88%	0.00%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.45%	0.54%	0.54%	0.68%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.82%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TQSIX and VBK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, TQSIX and VBK 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, TQSIX or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (7.13%) compared to TQSIX (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TQSIX dropped -40.65% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TQSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.52), 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.