VGSTX vs. SMTC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC).

VGSTX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Mar 29, 1985.

Performance

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	-2.19%	15.88%	13.69%	17.14%	-18.05%	9.65%	21.45%	22.21%	-5.33%	16.95%
SMTC Semtech Corporation	8.62%	19.14%	182.29%	-23.63%	-67.74%	23.36%	36.28%	15.33%	34.12%	8.40%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGSTX achieves a -2.19% return, which is significantly lower than SMTC's 8.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VGSTX has underperformed SMTC with an annualized return of 8.96%, while SMTC has yielded a comparatively higher 13.50% annualized return.

VGSTX

• 1D: 1.89%
• 1M: -4.30%
• YTD: -2.19%
• 6M: 0.21%
• 1Y: 13.34%
• 3Y*: 12.27%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

SMTC

• 1D: 4.10%
• 1M: -16.88%
• YTD: 8.62%
• 6M: 11.66%
• 1Y: 129.60%
• 3Y*: 49.12%
• 5Y*: 2.29%
• 10Y*: 13.50%

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

Return for Risk

VGSTX vs. SMTC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSTX

VGSTX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VGSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VGSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VGSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VGSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VGSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SMTC

SMTC Risk / Return Rank: 88
SMTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SMTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SMTC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SMTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SMTC Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC). 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.

	VGSTX	SMTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.98	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.49	-0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	3.96	-2.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	13.47	-6.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the SMTC Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGSTX and SMTC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGSTX	SMTC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	1.98	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.04	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.26	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.15	+0.64

Correlation

The correlation between VGSTX and SMTC is 0.47, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Dividend Comparison

VGSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.33%, while SMTC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	9.33%	9.13%	10.67%	5.35%	8.34%	6.70%	6.68%	6.07%	6.90%	3.32%	4.77%	5.62%
SMTC Semtech Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGSTX drawdown since its inception was -38.62%, smaller than the maximum SMTC drawdown of -92.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSTX and SMTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGSTX	SMTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.62%	-92.82%	+54.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.19%	-33.53%	+25.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-85.40%	+59.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.55%	-85.40%	+59.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.97%	-16.88%	+11.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-48.15%	+44.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	9.85%	-8.00%

Volatility

VGSTX vs. SMTC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) is 4.11%, while Semtech Corporation (SMTC) has a volatility of 24.24%. This indicates that VGSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGSTX	SMTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	24.24%	-20.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.62%	42.42%	-35.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.45%	65.69%	-54.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.81%	61.22%	-49.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.80%	52.75%	-40.95%