VRTGX vs. VISGX
VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VISGX (Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX returned 11.40%/yr vs 11.58%/yr for VISGX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VRTGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for VISGX.
Performance
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VRTGX having a 16.85% return and VISGX slightly higher at 17.40%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTGX having a 11.40% annualized return and VISGX not far ahead at 11.58%.
VRTGX
- 1D
- -1.36%
- 1M
- 2.41%
- YTD
- 16.85%
- 6M
- 13.68%
- 1Y
- 37.55%
- 3Y*
- 18.22%
- 5Y*
- 5.71%
- 10Y*
- 11.40%
VISGX
- 1D
- -1.07%
- 1M
- 3.63%
- YTD
- 17.40%
- 6M
- 15.62%
- 1Y
- 31.96%
- 3Y*
- 17.52%
- 5Y*
- 5.54%
- 10Y*
- 11.58%
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 16.85% | 12.97% | 15.26% | 18.80% | -26.30% | 2.82% | 34.81% | 28.84% | -9.21% | 22.27% |
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 17.40% | 8.18% | 14.80% | 22.91% | -28.50% | 5.58% | 35.11% | 32.60% | -5.81% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRTGX and VISGX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010 | 0.98 |
The correlation between VRTGX and VISGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VRTGX vs. VISGX — Risk / Return Rank
VRTGX
VISGX
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) and Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX). 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.
| VRTGX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.28 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.55 | 2.87 | -0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.17 | 10.92 | -1.75 |
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
| VRTGX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.77 | 1.68 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 | 0.24 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.51 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.39 | +0.12 |
Drawdowns
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRTGX drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, smaller than the maximum VISGX drawdown of -58.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTGX and VISGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VRTGX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.97% | -58.74% | +16.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.80% | -11.39% | -3.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.54% | -27.58% | -0.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.48% | -38.41% | -2.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.97% | -38.70% | -3.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.38% | -1.07% | -0.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.43% | -11.61% | +1.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.10% | 2.98% | +1.12% |
Volatility
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund (VISGX) at 5.46%. This indicates that VRTGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VISGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VRTGX | VISGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.62% | 5.46% | +1.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.82% | 14.84% | +0.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.42% | 19.48% | +1.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.56% | 23.56% | +1.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.51% | 22.98% | +1.53% |
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VRTGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VISGX's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VRTGX vs. VISGX - Dividend Comparison
VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, more than VISGX's 0.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISGX Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund | 0.34% | 0.33% | 0.42% | 0.56% | 0.46% | 0.23% | 0.35% | 0.47% | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.97% | 0.84% |
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.61% | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.85% | 0.78% | 0.54% | 0.53% | 0.90% | 0.85% | 0.75% | 1.07% | 0.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VRTGX and VISGX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VRTGX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to VISGX (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTGX dropped -41.97% vs VISGX's -58.74%.
VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.68), 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.
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