VOT vs. VEXPX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX).
VOT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Aug 17, 2006. VEXPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 11, 1967.
Performance
VOT vs. VEXPX - Performance Comparison
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VOT vs. VEXPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF | -6.47% | 10.72% | 16.38% | 23.10% | -28.87% | 20.50% | 34.50% | 33.76% | -5.56% | 21.80% |
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | -0.11% | 7.08% | 17.25% | 19.78% | -23.32% | 15.96% | 31.36% | 31.27% | -2.46% | 22.49% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a -6.47% return, which is significantly lower than VEXPX's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VOT has underperformed VEXPX with an annualized return of 10.76%, while VEXPX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.
VOT
- 1D
- 1.24%
- 1M
- -6.14%
- YTD
- -6.47%
- 6M
- -11.02%
- 1Y
- 6.52%
- 3Y*
- 10.95%
- 5Y*
- 4.30%
- 10Y*
- 10.76%
VEXPX
- 1D
- 3.79%
- 1M
- -5.78%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- 1.65%
- 1Y
- 17.03%
- 3Y*
- 11.98%
- 5Y*
- 4.26%
- 10Y*
- 12.03%
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VOT vs. VEXPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VOT has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VEXPX's 0.40% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VOT vs. VEXPX — Risk / Return Rank
VOT
VEXPX
VOT vs. VEXPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX). 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.
| VOT | VEXPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.31 | 0.79 | -0.48 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.59 | 1.25 | -0.66 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.17 | -0.09 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.45 | 1.20 | -0.75 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.40 | 5.02 | -3.62 |
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
| VOT | VEXPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 | 0.79 | -0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.55 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.50 | -0.08 |
Correlation
The correlation between VOT and VEXPX is 0.94, 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
VOT vs. VEXPX - Dividend Comparison
VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, less than VEXPX's 7.39% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF | 0.71% | 0.64% | 0.67% | 0.71% | 0.78% | 0.34% | 0.56% | 0.78% | 0.84% | 0.72% | 0.81% | 0.81% |
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | 7.39% | 7.38% | 12.59% | 0.79% | 5.09% | 16.00% | 6.64% | 4.97% | 10.95% | 11.46% | 4.49% | 10.71% |
Drawdowns
VOT vs. VEXPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, roughly equal to the maximum VEXPX drawdown of -57.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and VEXPX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VOT | VEXPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.16% | -57.40% | -2.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.96% | -14.15% | -1.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.19% | -32.71% | -4.48% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.19% | -39.87% | +2.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.28% | -6.78% | -5.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.01% | -12.95% | +2.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.16% | 3.38% | +1.78% |
Volatility
VOT vs. VEXPX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 6.63%, while Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) has a volatility of 7.50%. This indicates that VOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEXPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VOT | VEXPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.63% | 7.50% | -0.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.39% | 13.17% | -0.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.04% | 22.25% | -1.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.33% | 21.32% | +0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.92% | 21.81% | -0.89% |