VISGX vs. VRTGX
VISGX (Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VISGX returned 11.58%/yr vs 11.40%/yr for VRTGX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VISGX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.
Performance
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VISGX having a 17.40% return and VRTGX slightly lower at 16.85%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VISGX having a 11.58% annualized return and VRTGX not far behind at 11.40%.
VISGX
- 1D
- -1.07%
- 1M
- 3.63%
- YTD
- 17.40%
- 6M
- 15.62%
- 1Y
- 31.96%
- 3Y*
- 17.52%
- 5Y*
- 5.54%
- 10Y*
- 11.58%
VRTGX
- 1D
- -1.36%
- 1M
- 2.41%
- YTD
- 16.85%
- 6M
- 13.68%
- 1Y
- 37.55%
- 3Y*
- 18.22%
- 5Y*
- 5.71%
- 10Y*
- 11.40%
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 17.40% | 8.18% | 14.80% | 22.91% | -28.50% | 5.58% | 35.11% | 32.60% | -5.81% | 21.78% |
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 16.85% | 12.97% | 15.26% | 18.80% | -26.30% | 2.82% | 34.81% | 28.84% | -9.21% | 22.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between VISGX and VRTGX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010 | 0.98 |
The correlation between VISGX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VISGX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank
VISGX
VRTGX
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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.
| VISGX | VRTGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.29 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.87 | 2.55 | +0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.92 | 9.17 | +1.75 |
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
| VISGX | VRTGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.68 | 1.77 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | 0.47 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.51 | -0.12 |
Drawdowns
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VISGX drawdown since its inception was -58.74%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISGX and VRTGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VISGX | VRTGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.74% | -41.97% | -16.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.39% | -14.80% | +3.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.58% | -28.54% | +0.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.41% | -40.48% | +2.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | -41.97% | +3.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.07% | -1.38% | +0.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.61% | -10.43% | -1.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.98% | 4.10% | -1.12% |
Volatility
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) is 5.46%, while Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a volatility of 6.62%. This indicates that VISGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VRTGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VISGX | VRTGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 6.62% | -1.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.84% | 15.82% | -0.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.48% | 21.42% | -1.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.56% | 24.56% | -1.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.98% | 24.51% | -1.53% |
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VISGX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% 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
VISGX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison
VISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than VRTGX's 0.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.34% | 0.33% | 0.42% | 0.56% | 0.46% | 0.23% | 0.35% | 0.47% | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.97% | 0.84% |
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.61% | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.85% | 0.78% | 0.54% | 0.53% | 0.90% | 0.85% | 0.75% | 1.07% | 0.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VISGX and VRTGX 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.
VRTGX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to VISGX (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VISGX dropped -58.74% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.
VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.68), 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.
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