VRTIX vs. PRSVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VRTIX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and PRSVX (T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX returned 11.24%/yr vs 10.63%/yr for PRSVX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VRTIX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for PRSVX.

Performance

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) and T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund (PRSVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTIX achieves a 18.71% return, which is significantly higher than PRSVX's 17.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX has outperformed PRSVX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while PRSVX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.63% annualized return.

VRTIX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 6M: 17.45%
• 1Y: 41.29%
• 3Y*: 18.57%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

PRSVX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 17.21%
• 6M: 16.14%
• 1Y: 32.70%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 10.63%

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

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.71%	12.55%	11.59%	17.01%	-20.40%	14.71%	20.46%	25.60%	-10.92%	14.77%
PRSVX T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund	17.21%	8.31%	10.84%	12.34%	-18.53%	25.47%	12.49%	25.82%	-11.58%	12.84%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTIX and PRSVX 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.97

The correlation between VRTIX and PRSVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRTIX vs. PRSVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTIX

VRTIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VRTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VRTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VRTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VRTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VRTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

PRSVX

PRSVX Risk / Return Rank: 63
PRSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
PRSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PRSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
PRSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PRSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) and T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund (PRSVX). 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.

	VRTIX	PRSVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.13	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.05	+0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	3.98	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.13	14.83	-0.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the PRSVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTIX and PRSVX, 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

	VRTIX	PRSVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.29	2.13	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.33	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.51	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.64	-0.12

Drawdowns

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTIX drawdown since its inception was -41.69%, smaller than the maximum PRSVX drawdown of -55.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTIX and PRSVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTIX	PRSVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-55.37%	+13.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-8.93%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.72%	-24.60%	-3.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.98%	-28.17%	-3.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-40.97%	-0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	0.00%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-7.49%	-0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	2.37%	+0.72%

Volatility

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund (PRSVX) at 4.49%. This indicates that VRTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRSVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTIX	PRSVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	4.49%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.59%	12.31%	+1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.13%	16.70%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.60%	19.79%	+2.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.46%	21.03%	+2.43%

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTIX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PRSVX's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTIX vs. PRSVX - Dividend Comparison

VRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than PRSVX's 10.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRSVX T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund	10.09%	11.83%	9.77%	3.27%	5.28%	6.98%	2.03%	4.59%	9.46%	3.79%	3.77%	22.55%
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.07%	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 PRSVX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VRTIX and PRSVX 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, VRTIX or PRSVX?

VRTIX has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to PRSVX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTIX dropped -41.69% vs PRSVX's -55.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.13), 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.