VMAX vs. VB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB).

VMAX and VB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VMAX is an actively managed fund by Hartford. It was launched on Dec 5, 2023. VB is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004.

Performance

VMAX vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VMAX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	3.79%	15.65%	15.89%	6.98%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.92%	8.87%	14.17%	8.11%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMAX achieves a 3.79% return, which is significantly higher than VB's 1.92% return.

VMAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: 3.79%
• 6M: 7.09%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VB

• 1D: 3.18%
• 1M: -5.13%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 3.76%
• 1Y: 19.75%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

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

VMAX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

VMAX

Hartford US Value ETF

VB

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

VMAX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMAX

VMAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 59
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VB 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.

VMAX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	VMAX	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	0.91	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.41	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	1.39	+0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	5.97	+1.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMAX vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the VB Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMAX and VB, 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

	VMAX	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	0.91	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.42	+0.78

Correlation

The correlation between VMAX and VB is 0.89, 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

VMAX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

VMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, more than VB's 1.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	2.06%	2.14%	1.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.34%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Drawdowns

VMAX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMAX drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMAX and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMAX	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-59.56%	+40.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.38%	-14.29%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.15%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.36%	-6.08%	+3.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.72%	-8.49%	+5.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	3.32%	-0.56%

Volatility

VMAX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) is 4.21%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 6.84%. This indicates that VMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMAX	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	6.84%	-2.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	12.60%	-2.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.42%	21.86%	-3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.81%	20.78%	-4.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.81%	21.40%	-5.59%