VFTAX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VFTAX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFTAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US Choice Index, while VSMAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFTAX returned 12.61%/yr vs 6.83%/yr for VSMAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFTAX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFTAX achieves a 7.79% return, which is significantly lower than VSMAX's 14.59% return.

VFTAX

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: -1.28%
• YTD: 7.79%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 24.72%
• 3Y*: 21.32%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: —

VSMAX

• 1D: 2.58%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 6M: 12.93%
• 1Y: 30.00%
• 3Y*: 16.37%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

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

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.79%	17.25%	25.97%	31.78%	-24.22%	27.70%	22.63%	23.59%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.59%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	12.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTAX and VSMAX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.82

The correlation between VFTAX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFTAX	VSMAX
Technology	41.4%	17.2%
Communication Services	13.9%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	11.3%
Financial Services	11.5%	12.6%
Healthcare	9.4%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	3.4%
Industrials	3.6%	20.8%
Real Estate	2.2%	7.6%
Basic Materials	1.6%	4.8%
Utilities	0.1%	3.3%
Energy	0.0%	4.7%

Return for Risk

VFTAX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTAX

VFTAX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VFTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VFTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VFTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VFTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) 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.

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.

	VFTAX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.67	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.39	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.29	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	3.11	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.34	11.42	-3.08

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTAX and VSMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTAX drawdown since its inception was -34.20%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTAX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTAX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-59.68%	+25.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-8.97%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-25.25%	+5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.12%	-28.14%	-0.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.47%	-0.32%	-3.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-9.68%	+3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	2.44%	+0.40%

Volatility

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) is 5.12%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 5.47%. This indicates that VFTAX 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.

Volatility by Period

	VFTAX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	5.47%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	12.32%	-1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.88%	16.69%	-2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.45%	20.77%	-2.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	21.59%	-0.80%

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTAX has a 0.14% 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%.

Dividends

VFTAX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

VFTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than VSMAX's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.82%	0.85%	0.99%	1.10%	1.34%	0.94%	1.21%	1.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFTAX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

VFTAX and VSMAX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFTAX or VSMAX?

VSMAX has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to VFTAX (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTAX dropped -34.20% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.67), 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.