VOT vs. VEXPX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and VEXPX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while VEXPX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 12.21%/yr vs 13.20%/yr for VEXPX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VEXPX.

Performance

VOT vs. VEXPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly lower than VEXPX's 14.68% return. Over the past 10 years, VOT has underperformed VEXPX with an annualized return of 12.21%, while VEXPX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.20% annualized return.

VOT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

VEXPX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 12.83%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: 17.13%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 13.20%

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

VOT vs. VEXPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	14.68%	7.08%	17.25%	19.78%	-23.32%	15.96%	31.36%	31.27%	-2.46%	22.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and VEXPX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2006	0.94

The correlation between VOT and VEXPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. VEXPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	VEXPX
Technology	28.9%	20.6%
Industrials	23.7%	21.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	12.0%
Healthcare	9.3%	17.5%
Financial Services	6.8%	11.2%
Real Estate	4.8%	3.0%
Communication Services	3.8%	2.2%
Utilities	3.5%	1.6%
Energy	2.7%	4.5%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	2.7%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. VEXPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 22
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VEXPX

VEXPX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VEXPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VEXPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VEXPX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VEXPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VEXPX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	1.67	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.38	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.29	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	2.78	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.31	10.83	-8.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOT vs. VEXPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the VEXPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and VEXPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VOT	VEXPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	1.67	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.33	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.61	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.52	-0.06

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	VEXPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-57.40%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-10.18%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-24.38%	+2.61%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.50%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-12.90%	+2.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.32%	2.61%	+2.71%

Volatility

VOT vs. VEXPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 4.30%, while Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) has a volatility of 4.61%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	VEXPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	4.61%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	12.64%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.79%	17.03%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.35%	21.31%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	21.83%	-0.85%

VOT vs. VEXPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VEXPX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOT vs. VEXPX - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than VEXPX's 6.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	6.44%	7.38%	12.59%	0.79%	5.09%	16.00%	6.64%	4.97%	10.95%	11.46%	4.49%	10.71%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and VEXPX in my portfolio?

VOT and VEXPX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or VEXPX?

VEXPX has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to VOT (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs VEXPX's -57.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 0.78), 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.