VIIIX vs. VSCPX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX).

VIIIX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jul 7, 1997. VSCPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 17, 2010.

Performance

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Performance Comparison

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

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	-7.06%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	-1.20%	8.86%	12.98%	19.52%	-17.59%	17.75%	19.09%	27.40%	-9.31%	16.27%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIIIX achieves a -7.06% return, which is significantly lower than VSCPX's -1.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VIIIX has outperformed VSCPX with an annualized return of 13.82%, while VSCPX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.17% annualized return.

VIIIX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -7.68%
• YTD: -7.06%
• 6M: -4.59%
• 1Y: 14.44%
• 3Y*: 17.57%
• 5Y*: 11.54%
• 10Y*: 13.82%

VSCPX

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: -1.20%
• 6M: 0.60%
• 1Y: 16.10%
• 3Y*: 11.87%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIIIX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VSCPX's 0.03% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VSCPX

Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares

VIIIX

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares

Return for Risk

VIIIX vs. VSCPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VSCPX

VSCPX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VSCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VSCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VSCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VSCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VSCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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.

	VIIIX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	0.75	+0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	1.19	+0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.16	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	0.97	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.14	4.21	+0.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIIIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the VSCPX Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIIIX and VSCPX, 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

	VIIIX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	0.75	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.24	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.47	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.49	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between VIIIX and VSCPX is 0.87, 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

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Dividend Comparison

VIIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, more than VSCPX's 1.40% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.90%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.40%	1.35%	1.32%	1.56%	1.56%	1.26%	1.16%	1.41%	1.69%	1.37%	1.52%	1.51%

Drawdowns

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIIIX drawdown since its inception was -55.18%, which is greater than VSCPX's maximum drawdown of -41.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIIIX and VSCPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIIIX	VSCPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.18%	-41.81%	-13.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.12%	-14.29%	+2.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-28.13%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-41.81%	+8.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.90%	-8.97%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-6.55%	-3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	3.29%	-0.80%

Volatility

VIIIX vs. VSCPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) is 4.24%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) has a volatility of 5.90%. This indicates that VIIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSCPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIIIX	VSCPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	5.90%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	12.22%	-3.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.13%	21.62%	-3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	20.70%	-3.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	21.53%	-3.51%