VSCIX vs. ESPAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSCIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and ESPAX (Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund) are both mutual funds - VSCIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while ESPAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Allspring Global Investments. Over the past 10 years, VSCIX returned 11.38%/yr vs 7.95%/yr for ESPAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSCIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ESPAX.

Performance

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) and Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSCIX achieves a 14.94% return, which is significantly higher than ESPAX's 9.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCIX has outperformed ESPAX with an annualized return of 11.38%, while ESPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.95% annualized return.

VSCIX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 14.90%
• 1Y: 29.67%
• 3Y*: 17.32%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

ESPAX

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 9.42%
• 6M: 8.70%
• 1Y: 15.57%
• 3Y*: 8.79%
• 5Y*: 3.17%
• 10Y*: 7.95%

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

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	14.94%	8.85%	12.96%	19.52%	-17.60%	17.74%	19.07%	27.40%	-9.33%	16.25%
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	9.42%	-3.10%	6.44%	18.65%	-13.94%	27.61%	1.16%	28.03%	-13.77%	11.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCIX and ESPAX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 1997	0.93

The correlation between VSCIX and ESPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSCIX vs. ESPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCIX

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

ESPAX

ESPAX Risk / Return Rank: 14
ESPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
ESPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
ESPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ESPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
ESPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) and Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX). 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.

	VSCIX	ESPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	0.99	+0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	1.59	+1.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.18	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	1.30	+2.22
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.98	3.78	+9.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is higher than the ESPAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCIX and ESPAX, 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

	VSCIX	ESPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	0.99	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.16	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.37	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.44	-0.04

Drawdowns

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCIX drawdown since its inception was -59.66%, roughly equal to the maximum ESPAX drawdown of -61.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCIX and ESPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCIX	ESPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.66%	-61.14%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-13.58%	+4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.25%	-24.80%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.13%	-26.84%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.81%	-43.28%	+1.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.66%	+2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.12%	-9.15%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	4.64%	-2.22%

Volatility

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) is 4.40%, while Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund (ESPAX) has a volatility of 5.13%. This indicates that VSCIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCIX	ESPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	5.13%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.72%	12.17%	-0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.27%	17.77%	-1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.72%	20.21%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.57%	21.40%	+0.17%

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSCIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSCIX vs. ESPAX - Dividend Comparison

VSCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than ESPAX's 7.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESPAX Allspring Special Small Cap Value Fund	7.55%	8.26%	10.10%	2.07%	6.24%	6.34%	0.39%	1.68%	7.90%	5.33%	2.25%	2.33%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.19%	1.34%	1.31%	1.55%	1.55%	1.25%	1.15%	1.40%	1.68%	1.36%	1.50%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSCIX and ESPAX in my portfolio?

VSCIX and ESPAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSCIX or ESPAX?

ESPAX has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to VSCIX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCIX dropped -59.66% vs ESPAX's -61.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.99), 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.