VRTGX vs. WMKSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and WMKSX (WesMark Small Company Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX returned 11.55%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for WMKSX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VRTGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for WMKSX.

Performance

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) and WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTGX achieves a 18.46% return, which is significantly higher than WMKSX's 15.68% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX has underperformed WMKSX with an annualized return of 11.55%, while WMKSX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.28% annualized return.

VRTGX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 5.85%
• YTD: 18.46%
• 6M: 16.83%
• 1Y: 39.45%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

WMKSX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 15.68%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 31.01%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

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

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.46%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%
WMKSX WesMark Small Company Fund	15.68%	16.19%	22.12%	19.42%	-20.72%	22.81%	36.78%	20.32%	-13.92%	13.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTGX and WMKSX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.93

The correlation between VRTGX and WMKSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRTGX vs. WMKSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

WMKSX

WMKSX Risk / Return Rank: 54
WMKSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
WMKSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
WMKSX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
WMKSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
WMKSX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - 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 WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX). 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	WMKSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.90	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.68	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	3.96	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.20	13.23	-3.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the WMKSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTGX and WMKSX, 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

	VRTGX	WMKSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	1.90	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.41	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.56	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.14

Drawdowns

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTGX drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, smaller than the maximum WMKSX drawdown of -64.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTGX and WMKSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTGX	WMKSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.97%	-64.09%	+22.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.80%	-8.50%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.54%	-24.20%	-4.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.48%	-39.84%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.97%	-39.84%	-2.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.35%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.44%	-15.68%	+5.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	2.54%	+1.56%

Volatility

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a higher volatility of 6.44% compared to WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX) at 4.76%. This indicates that VRTGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WMKSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTGX	WMKSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.44%	4.76%	+1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	12.05%	+3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	17.71%	+3.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.55%	26.10%	-1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.51%	23.97%	+0.54%

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than WMKSX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTGX vs. WMKSX - Dividend Comparison

VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than WMKSX's 19.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.60%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%
WMKSX WesMark Small Company Fund	19.80%	22.91%	4.69%	5.93%	6.23%	25.75%	8.21%	0.00%	12.53%	8.59%	5.26%	6.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTGX and WMKSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VRTGX and WMKSX 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.

Which is riskier, VRTGX or WMKSX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (6.44%) compared to WMKSX (4.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTGX dropped -41.97% vs WMKSX's -64.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.90), 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.