TSMDX vs. VSEQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TSMDX (Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund) and VSEQX (Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TSMDX returned 8.64%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for VSEQX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TSMDX charges 1.36%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VSEQX.

Performance

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund (TSMDX) and Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSMDX achieves a 6.36% return, which is significantly lower than VSEQX's 16.05% return. Over the past 10 years, TSMDX has underperformed VSEQX with an annualized return of 8.64%, while VSEQX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.13% annualized return.

TSMDX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.90%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 7.48%
• 1Y: 15.48%
• 3Y*: 9.37%
• 5Y*: 3.48%
• 10Y*: 8.64%

VSEQX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 16.05%
• 6M: 16.43%
• 1Y: 35.10%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: 13.13%

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

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSMDX Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund	6.36%	7.85%	7.73%	9.42%	-17.85%	23.18%	15.93%	25.84%	-13.14%	18.99%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	16.05%	15.32%	16.67%	19.31%	-11.90%	30.83%	10.26%	26.76%	-11.86%	12.36%

Correlation

The correlation between TSMDX and VSEQX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2015	0.92

Over the past year, the correlation between TSMDX and VSEQX has dropped to 0.66 - well below their long-term average of 0.92, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TSMDX vs. VSEQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSMDX

TSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 26
TSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
TSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
TSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
TSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
TSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

VSEQX

VSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
VSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund (TSMDX) and Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX). 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.

	TSMDX	VSEQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.44	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	3.38	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.43	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.83	-3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.69	18.60	-11.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the VSEQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSMDX and VSEQX, 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

	TSMDX	VSEQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.44	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.60	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.62	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.50	-0.10

Drawdowns

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSMDX drawdown since its inception was -40.15%, smaller than the maximum VSEQX drawdown of -63.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSMDX and VSEQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSMDX	VSEQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.15%	-63.55%	+23.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.65%	-7.60%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.21%	-24.73%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.54%	-24.73%	-2.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.15%	-44.08%	+3.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.65%	-9.06%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.76%	1.97%	+1.79%

Volatility

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Volatility Comparison

Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund (TSMDX) has a higher volatility of 4.36% compared to Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) at 3.64%. This indicates that TSMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSEQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSMDX	VSEQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	3.64%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	10.61%	+0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.91%	15.03%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.50%	19.95%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.66%	21.42%	-0.76%

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSMDX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VSEQX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSMDX vs. VSEQX - Dividend Comparison

TSMDX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TSMDX Trillium ESG Small/Mid Cap Fund	0.00%	0.00%	6.29%	2.47%	2.80%	2.24%	0.12%	4.62%	5.09%	1.72%	1.57%	0.00%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	9.61%	11.16%	11.36%	6.11%	11.77%	21.36%	1.77%	2.92%	10.34%	7.05%	3.13%	12.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSMDX and VSEQX in my portfolio?

TSMDX and VSEQX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSMDX or VSEQX?

TSMDX has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to VSEQX (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSMDX dropped -40.15% vs VSEQX's -63.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSEQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.44), 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.