VRTIX vs. FTHNX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VRTIX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and FTHNX (Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX returned 10.87%/yr vs 13.97%/yr for FTHNX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VRTIX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for FTHNX.

Performance

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) and Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund (FTHNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTIX achieves a 18.90% return, which is significantly higher than FTHNX's 16.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX has underperformed FTHNX with an annualized return of 10.87%, while FTHNX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.97% annualized return.

VRTIX

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -2.12%
• 6M: 11.72%
• YTD: 18.90%
• 1Y: 37.06%
• 3Y*: 15.22%
• 5Y*: 7.09%
• 10Y*: 10.87%
• ALL TIME*: 11.43%

FTHNX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.84%
• 6M: 11.29%
• YTD: 16.82%
• 1Y: 28.52%
• 3Y*: 17.92%
• 5Y*: 12.63%
• 10Y*: 13.97%
• ALL TIME*: 13.46%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTHNX Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.90%	12.55%	11.59%	17.01%	-20.40%	14.71%	20.46%	25.60%	-10.92%	14.77%
FTHNX Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund	16.82%	11.69%	15.81%	22.18%	-7.73%	30.44%	10.05%	27.74%	-13.45%	17.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTIX and FTHNX is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2015	0.93

The correlation between VRTIX and FTHNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRTIX vs. FTHNX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VRTIX

VRTIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VRTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VRTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VRTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VRTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VRTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FTHNX

FTHNX Risk / Return Rank: 76
FTHNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FTHNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FTHNX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
FTHNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FTHNX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) and Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund (FTHNX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VRTIX	FTHNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.80	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.68	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	2.84	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.11	10.23	+0.88

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the FTHNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTIX and FTHNX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTIX drawdown since its inception was -41.69%, which is greater than FTHNX's maximum drawdown of -37.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTIX and FTHNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTIX	FTHNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-37.78%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-9.44%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.72%	-24.63%	-3.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.98%	-24.63%	-7.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-37.78%	-3.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.03%	-0.60%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.33%	-5.62%	-2.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	2.62%	+0.48%

Volatility

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund (FTHNX) at 3.36%. This indicates that VRTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTHNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTIX	FTHNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	3.36%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	10.75%	+3.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.41%	14.91%	+4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.56%	18.78%	+3.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.43%	20.07%	+3.36%

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTIX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FTHNX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTIX vs. FTHNX - Dividend Comparison

VRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than FTHNX's 0.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTHNX Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund	0.24%	0.28%	7.84%	1.60%	0.95%	3.55%	0.11%	0.11%	0.21%	0.09%	0.00%	15.47%
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.12%	1.00%	1.23%	1.46%	1.50%	1.05%	1.14%	1.36%	1.49%	1.24%	1.33%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTIX and FTHNX in my portfolio?

VRTIX and FTHNX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTIX or FTHNX?

VRTIX has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to FTHNX (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTIX dropped -41.69% vs FTHNX's -37.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.78), 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.