VLEQX vs. SMCWX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX).

VLEQX is managed by Villere. It was launched on May 31, 2013. SMCWX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Apr 30, 1990.

Performance

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	-0.45%	0.26%	1.50%	11.37%	-24.50%	5.80%	14.77%	24.50%	-6.98%	7.34%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	-1.05%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLEQX achieves a -0.45% return, which is significantly higher than SMCWX's -1.05% return. Over the past 10 years, VLEQX has underperformed SMCWX with an annualized return of 3.29%, while SMCWX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.04% annualized return.

VLEQX

• 1D: 1.85%
• 1M: -5.01%
• YTD: -0.45%
• 6M: -0.19%
• 1Y: 1.46%
• 3Y*: 1.12%
• 5Y*: -3.25%
• 10Y*: 3.29%

SMCWX

• 1D: 3.47%
• 1M: -7.83%
• YTD: -1.05%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 20.45%
• 3Y*: 8.86%
• 5Y*: 0.17%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

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

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLEQX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than SMCWX's 1.02% expense ratio.

VLEQX

Villere Equity Fund

SMCWX

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A

Return for Risk

VLEQX vs. SMCWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLEQX

VLEQX Risk / Return Rank: 5
VLEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VLEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VLEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

SMCWX

SMCWX Risk / Return Rank: 64
SMCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SMCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SMCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SMCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SMCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). 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.

	VLEQX	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.08	1.17	-1.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.24	1.72	-1.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.23	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	1.66	-1.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.49	6.37	-5.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLEQX Sharpe Ratio is 0.08, which is lower than the SMCWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLEQX and SMCWX, 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

	VLEQX	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08	1.17	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.17	0.01	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	0.51	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.57	-0.49

Correlation

The correlation between VLEQX and SMCWX is 0.85, 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

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Dividend Comparison

VLEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than SMCWX's 4.90% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	0.54%	0.54%	0.40%	4.64%	2.88%	8.24%	0.73%	0.17%	0.34%	0.00%	0.11%	1.76%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.90%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%

Drawdowns

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLEQX drawdown since its inception was -35.60%, smaller than the maximum SMCWX drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLEQX and SMCWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLEQX	SMCWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.60%	-62.46%	+26.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-11.83%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.46%	-39.79%	+6.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.60%	-39.79%	+4.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.59%	-10.12%	-9.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.40%	-14.98%	+2.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.08%	+0.29%

Volatility

VLEQX vs. SMCWX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX) is 4.03%, while American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) has a volatility of 7.62%. This indicates that VLEQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMCWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLEQX	SMCWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	7.62%	-3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.50%	11.82%	-3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.35%	17.93%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.30%	18.05%	+1.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.25%	17.76%	+1.49%