VBK vs. GABSX
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and GABSX (Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund) are both funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while GABSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Gabelli. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 10.92%/yr vs 10.61%/yr for GABSX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for GABSX.
Performance
VBK vs. GABSX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 14.98% return, which is significantly higher than GABSX's 13.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VBK having a 10.92% annualized return and GABSX not far behind at 10.61%.
VBK
- 1D
- 1.81%
- 1M
- -3.14%
- 6M
- 10.32%
- YTD
- 14.98%
- 1Y
- 25.41%
- 3Y*
- 15.04%
- 5Y*
- 4.55%
- 10Y*
- 10.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.83%
GABSX
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- -0.08%
- 6M
- 6.78%
- YTD
- 13.92%
- 1Y
- 22.37%
- 3Y*
- 12.50%
- 5Y*
- 9.05%
- 10Y*
- 10.61%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.26%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $70.46M | $72.06M | $83.50M |
VBK vs. GABSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 14.98% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
GABSX Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund | 13.92% | 8.65% | 10.22% | 21.45% | -12.63% | 24.82% | 13.63% | 21.56% | -15.25% | 19.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBK and GABSX is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.86 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VBK and GABSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBK vs. GABSX — Risk / Return Rank
VBK
GABSX
VBK vs. GABSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund (GABSX). 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.
| VBK | GABSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.22 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.23 | 1.84 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.52 | 6.05 | +1.47 |
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Drawdowns
VBK vs. GABSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, roughly equal to the maximum GABSX drawdown of -57.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and GABSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBK | GABSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.68% | -57.24% | -1.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.44% | -11.45% | +0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.54% | -23.43% | -4.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.39% | -25.19% | -13.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | -40.74% | +2.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.22% | -2.45% | -2.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.10% | -6.95% | -3.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 3.48% | -0.09% |
Volatility
VBK vs. GABSX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund (GABSX) at 4.27%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GABSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBK | GABSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 4.27% | +1.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.90% | 12.52% | +3.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.39% | 16.75% | +3.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.67% | 19.08% | +4.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.92% | 19.98% | +2.94% |
VBK vs. GABSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than GABSX's 1.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
VBK vs. GABSX - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than GABSX's 3.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABSX Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund | 3.50% | 3.98% | 6.61% | 8.68% | 9.53% | 13.50% | 22.21% | 21.36% | 4.70% | 5.38% | 3.87% | 3.78% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.44% | 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
VBK and GABSX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBK has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to GABSX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs GABSX's -57.24%.
GABSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 1.25), 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.
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