VPMAX vs. VSCPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) and VSCPX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - VPMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VSCPX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VPMAX returned 17.65%/yr vs 11.39%/yr for VSCPX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VPMAX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VSCPX.

Performance

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPMAX achieves a 25.44% return, which is significantly higher than VSCPX's 14.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VPMAX has outperformed VSCPX with an annualized return of 17.65%, while VSCPX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.39% annualized return.

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 25.44%
• 6M: 26.85%
• 1Y: 58.91%
• 3Y*: 28.09%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 17.65%

VSCPX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 6M: 14.90%
• 1Y: 29.69%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

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

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.44%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	14.95%	8.86%	12.98%	19.52%	-17.59%	17.75%	19.09%	27.40%	-9.31%	16.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VPMAX and VSCPX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2010	0.86

The correlation between VPMAX and VSCPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VPMAX vs. VSCPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VSCPX

VSCPX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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.

	VPMAX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.76	1.94	+1.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.05	2.75	+2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.34	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.14	3.52	+1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.68	12.99	+10.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPMAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.76, which is higher than the VSCPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPMAX and VSCPX, 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

	VPMAX	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.76	1.94	+1.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.36	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.53	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.54	+0.11

Drawdowns

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPMAX drawdown since its inception was -48.32%, which is greater than VSCPX's maximum drawdown of -41.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPMAX and VSCPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPMAX	VSCPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.32%	-41.81%	-6.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.72%	-8.97%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.55%	-25.25%	+4.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.21%	-28.13%	+2.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.65%	-41.81%	+9.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.58%	-6.49%	-0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.42%	+0.12%

Volatility

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.18% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) at 4.40%. This indicates that VPMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPMAX	VSCPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.18%	4.40%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	11.72%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.02%	16.27%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.26%	20.72%	-2.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.19%	21.57%	-2.38%

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPMAX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VSCPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPMAX vs. VSCPX - Dividend Comparison

VPMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.12%, more than VSCPX's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.12%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.20%	1.35%	1.32%	1.56%	1.56%	1.26%	1.16%	1.41%	1.69%	1.37%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPMAX and VSCPX in my portfolio?

VPMAX and VSCPX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPMAX or VSCPX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.18%) compared to VSCPX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPMAX dropped -48.32% vs VSCPX's -41.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 1.94), 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.