VBR vs. VSMAX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX).
VBR is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. VSMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
VBR vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison
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VBR vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF | 3.80% | 9.09% | 12.40% | 16.00% | -9.38% | 28.08% | 5.90% | 22.78% | -12.28% | 11.81% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 2.97% | 8.83% | 14.23% | 18.17% | -17.61% | 17.74% | 19.06% | 27.36% | -9.33% | 16.24% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 3.80% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 2.97% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VBR having a 10.27% annualized return and VSMAX not far ahead at 10.70%.
VBR
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- -3.60%
- YTD
- 3.80%
- 6M
- 4.63%
- 1Y
- 25.96%
- 3Y*
- 13.63%
- 5Y*
- 7.68%
- 10Y*
- 10.27%
VSMAX
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- -3.58%
- YTD
- 2.97%
- 6M
- 3.38%
- 1Y
- 27.14%
- 3Y*
- 13.43%
- 5Y*
- 5.56%
- 10Y*
- 10.70%
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VBR vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBR has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
VBR vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank
VBR
VSMAX
VBR vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.
| VBR | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.86 | 0.86 | 0.00 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.33 | 1.34 | -0.01 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.18 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.37 | 1.44 | -0.07 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.57 | 6.13 | -0.56 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBR | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86 | 0.86 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.39 | 0.27 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.50 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.40 | 0.37 | +0.03 |
Correlation
The correlation between VBR and VSMAX is 0.97, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VBR vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison
VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.89%, more than VSMAX's 1.32% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF | 1.89% | 1.95% | 1.98% | 2.12% | 2.03% | 1.75% | 1.68% | 2.06% | 2.35% | 1.79% | 1.77% | 1.99% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.32% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.56% | 1.54% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.49% | 1.48% |
Drawdowns
VBR vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and VSMAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBR | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.98% | -59.68% | -2.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.85% | -8.97% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.19% | -28.14% | +3.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.28% | -41.82% | -3.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.56% | -5.12% | -0.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.32% | -9.75% | +1.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | 3.35% | +0.13% |
Volatility
VBR vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is 5.39%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 6.69%. This indicates that VBR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBR | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.39% | 6.69% | -1.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.28% | 12.62% | -1.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.64% | 21.80% | -1.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.84% | 20.72% | -0.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.73% | 21.54% | +0.19% |