VEXPX vs. WMKSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEXPX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares) and WMKSX (WesMark Small Company Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VEXPX returned 13.26%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for WMKSX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEXPX charges 0.40%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for WMKSX.

Performance

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VEXPX having a 15.26% return and WMKSX slightly higher at 15.68%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEXPX having a 13.26% annualized return and WMKSX not far ahead at 13.28%.

VEXPX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.79%
• YTD: 15.26%
• 6M: 14.17%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 13.26%

WMKSX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 15.68%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 31.01%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

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

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	15.26%	7.08%	17.25%	19.78%	-23.32%	15.96%	31.36%	31.27%	-2.46%	22.49%
WMKSX WesMark Small Company Fund	15.68%	16.19%	22.12%	19.42%	-20.72%	22.81%	36.78%	20.32%	-13.92%	13.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXPX and WMKSX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1994	0.85

The correlation between VEXPX and WMKSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEXPX vs. WMKSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEXPX

VEXPX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VEXPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VEXPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VEXPX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VEXPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VEXPX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

WMKSX

WMKSX Risk / Return Rank: 54
WMKSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
WMKSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
WMKSX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
WMKSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
WMKSX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX). 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	WMKSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.90	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.68	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	3.96	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	13.23	-1.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the WMKSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXPX and WMKSX, 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

	VEXPX	WMKSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.90	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.41	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.56	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.15

Drawdowns

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXPX drawdown since its inception was -57.40%, smaller than the maximum WMKSX drawdown of -64.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXPX and WMKSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXPX	WMKSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.40%	-64.09%	+6.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-8.50%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.38%	-24.20%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.71%	-39.84%	+7.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.87%	-39.84%	-0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.35%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-15.68%	+2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.54%	+0.07%

Volatility

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX) have volatilities of 4.58% and 4.76%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEXPX	WMKSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	4.76%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.67%	12.05%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.02%	17.71%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.31%	26.10%	-4.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.83%	23.97%	-2.14%

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXPX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than WMKSX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEXPX vs. WMKSX - Dividend Comparison

VEXPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.41%, less than WMKSX's 19.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	6.41%	7.38%	12.59%	0.79%	5.09%	16.00%	6.64%	4.97%	10.95%	11.46%	4.49%	10.71%
WMKSX WesMark Small Company Fund	19.80%	22.91%	4.69%	5.93%	6.23%	25.75%	8.21%	0.00%	12.53%	8.59%	5.26%	6.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEXPX and WMKSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VEXPX and WMKSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEXPX or WMKSX?

WMKSX has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to VEXPX (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXPX dropped -57.40% vs WMKSX's -64.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WMKSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.80), 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.