TSME vs. VRGWX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TSME (Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF) and VRGWX (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both funds - TSME is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Thrivent, while VRGWX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, TSME returned 21.81%/yr vs 25.59%/yr for VRGWX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSME charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VRGWX.

Performance

TSME vs. VRGWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF (TSME) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSME achieves a 16.94% return, which is significantly higher than VRGWX's 8.99% return.

TSME

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 16.94%
• 6M: 18.66%
• 1Y: 40.22%
• 3Y*: 21.81%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VRGWX

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 7.25%
• YTD: 8.99%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 28.74%
• 3Y*: 25.59%
• 5Y*: 16.74%
• 10Y*: 19.27%

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

TSME vs. VRGWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TSME Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF	16.94%	13.79%	18.98%	17.82%	2.41%
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	8.99%	18.32%	33.25%	42.65%	-3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between TSME and VRGWX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2022	0.68

The correlation between TSME and VRGWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSME vs. VRGWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSME

TSME Risk / Return Rank: 54
TSME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
TSME Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TSME Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TSME Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
TSME Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VRGWX

VRGWX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRGWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VRGWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VRGWX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VRGWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VRGWX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

TSME vs. VRGWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF (TSME) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX). 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.

	TSME	VRGWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.93	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.60	+0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.82	+0.83
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.10	6.13	+2.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSME vs. VRGWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSME Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the VRGWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSME and VRGWX, 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

	TSME	VRGWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	1.93	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.90	-0.01

Drawdowns

TSME vs. VRGWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSME drawdown since its inception was -26.59%, smaller than the maximum VRGWX drawdown of -32.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSME and VRGWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSME	VRGWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.59%	-32.70%	+6.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.72%	-16.19%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.59%	-23.44%	-3.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-4.88%	-0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	4.81%	-0.52%

Volatility

TSME vs. VRGWX - Volatility Comparison

Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF (TSME) has a higher volatility of 7.63% compared to Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX) at 3.26%. This indicates that TSME's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRGWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSME	VRGWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	3.26%	+4.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.08%	11.60%	+5.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.15%	15.42%	+5.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.69%	21.62%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.69%	21.16%	+0.53%

TSME vs. VRGWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSME has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VRGWX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSME vs. VRGWX - Dividend Comparison

TSME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than VRGWX's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TSME Thrivent Small-Mid Cap ESG ETF	0.14%	0.17%	0.38%	0.53%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.43%	0.35%	0.56%	0.71%	0.99%	4.18%	0.77%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSME and VRGWX in my portfolio?

TSME and VRGWX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSME or VRGWX?

TSME has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to VRGWX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSME dropped -26.59% vs VRGWX's -32.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRGWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.91), 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.