VEXPX vs. VBK
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK).
VEXPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 11, 1967. VBK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004.
Performance
VEXPX vs. VBK - Performance Comparison
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VEXPX vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | -3.76% | 7.08% | 17.25% | 19.78% | -23.32% | 15.96% | 31.36% | 31.27% | -2.46% | 22.49% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.16% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEXPX achieves a -3.76% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 0.16% return. Over the past 10 years, VEXPX has outperformed VBK with an annualized return of 11.62%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively lower 10.46% annualized return.
VEXPX
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -8.34%
- YTD
- -3.76%
- 6M
- -2.02%
- 1Y
- 13.16%
- 3Y*
- 10.59%
- 5Y*
- 3.84%
- 10Y*
- 11.62%
VBK
- 1D
- 4.37%
- 1M
- -5.52%
- YTD
- 0.16%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 20.70%
- 3Y*
- 12.47%
- 5Y*
- 2.16%
- 10Y*
- 10.46%
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VEXPX vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEXPX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.07% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VEXPX vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank
VEXPX
VBK
VEXPX vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.
| VEXPX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.58 | 0.85 | -0.27 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.97 | 1.34 | -0.37 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.18 | -0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.73 | 1.38 | -0.65 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.09 | 5.52 | -2.43 |
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
| VEXPX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.58 | 0.85 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 | 0.09 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | 0.46 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.40 | +0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between VEXPX and VBK is 0.98, 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
VEXPX vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison
VEXPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.67%, more than VBK's 0.52% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | 7.67% | 7.38% | 12.59% | 0.79% | 5.09% | 16.00% | 6.64% | 4.97% | 10.95% | 11.46% | 4.49% | 10.71% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.52% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Drawdowns
VEXPX vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEXPX drawdown since its inception was -57.40%, roughly equal to the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXPX and VBK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEXPX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.40% | -58.68% | +1.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.15% | -14.56% | +0.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.71% | -38.39% | +5.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.87% | -38.70% | -1.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.18% | -7.57% | -2.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.95% | -10.22% | -2.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.36% | 3.65% | -0.29% |
Volatility
VEXPX vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) is 6.37%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that VEXPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VEXPX | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.37% | 8.73% | -2.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.63% | 15.41% | -2.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.98% | 24.44% | -2.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.26% | 23.49% | -2.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.78% | 22.80% | -1.02% |