VSCIX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSCIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSCIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VSCIX returned 11.29%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSCIX achieves a 14.03% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCIX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 11.29%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.

VSCIX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 15.16%
• 1Y: 30.34%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 7.02%
• 10Y*: 11.29%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	14.03%	8.85%	12.96%	19.52%	-17.60%	17.74%	19.07%	27.40%	-9.33%	16.25%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCIX and VFIAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.88

The correlation between VSCIX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSCIX	VFIAX
Industrials	20.8%	8.3%
Technology	17.2%	35.7%
Financial Services	12.6%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	10.2%
Healthcare	11.1%	8.5%
Real Estate	7.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.8%
Energy	4.7%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	4.9%
Utilities	3.3%	2.4%
Communication Services	3.1%	11.3%

Return for Risk

VSCIX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCIX

VSCIX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VSCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VSCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VSCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VSCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VSCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.55	-0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	3.46	-0.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.46	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.38	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.27	15.82	-3.55
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. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCIX and VFIAX, 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	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.55	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.84	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.87	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.47	-0.06

Drawdowns

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCIX drawdown since its inception was -59.66%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCIX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCIX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.66%	-55.20%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-8.90%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.25%	-18.75%	-6.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.13%	-24.53%	-3.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.81%	-33.83%	-7.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	0.00%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.13%	-9.40%	-0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	1.90%	+0.52%

Volatility

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSCIX) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that VSCIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCIX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	2.82%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	8.99%	+2.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.29%	11.88%	+4.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.71%	16.90%	+3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.57%	18.07%	+3.50%

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VSCIX and VFIAX have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSCIX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VSCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VSCIX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.20%	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 VFIAX in my portfolio?

VSCIX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.79, 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 VFIAX?

VSCIX has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCIX dropped -59.66% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.87), 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.