VBK vs. MERDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and MERDX (Meridian Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 11.74%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for MERDX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBK charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MERDX.

Performance

VBK vs. MERDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 17.41% return, which is significantly higher than MERDX's 5.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed MERDX with an annualized return of 11.74%, while MERDX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.17% annualized return.

VBK

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 17.41%
• 6M: 16.96%
• 1Y: 32.77%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 5.68%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

MERDX

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 3.69%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: 4.56%
• 1Y: 5.46%
• 3Y*: 2.79%
• 5Y*: -2.22%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

VBK vs. MERDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	17.41%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%
MERDX Meridian Growth Fund	5.24%	-6.25%	6.42%	15.29%	-29.13%	15.58%	24.93%	27.67%	-7.30%	25.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and MERDX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.92

The correlation between VBK and MERDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBK vs. MERDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 51
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 60

MERDX

MERDX Risk / Return Rank: 5
MERDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
MERDX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

VBK vs. MERDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX). 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.

	VBK	MERDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	0.41	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	0.70	+1.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.08	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	0.49	+2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.98	1.32	+9.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBK vs. MERDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the MERDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and MERDX, 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

	VBK	MERDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	0.41	+1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	-0.11	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.34	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.45	-0.02

Drawdowns

VBK vs. MERDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than MERDX's maximum drawdown of -48.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and MERDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBK	MERDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-48.45%	-10.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.44%	-14.50%	+3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.54%	-24.32%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.39%	-37.93%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	-40.64%	+1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-20.79%	+19.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-10.28%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	5.31%	-2.32%

Volatility

VBK vs. MERDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 5.37% compared to Meridian Growth Fund (MERDX) at 4.31%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MERDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBK	MERDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	4.31%	+1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.62%	12.09%	+2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.21%	17.34%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.48%	21.44%	+2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	21.32%	+1.54%

VBK vs. MERDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than MERDX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBK vs. MERDX - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than MERDX's 8.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MERDX Meridian Growth Fund	8.58%	9.03%	0.24%	0.00%	13.80%	15.49%	0.88%	9.15%	16.44%	7.07%	0.57%	12.17%
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 VBK and MERDX in my portfolio?

VBK and MERDX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBK or MERDX?

VBK has higher volatility (5.37%) compared to MERDX (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs MERDX's -48.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.41), 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.