VSCPX vs. BSMIX
VSCPX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and BSMIX (iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VSCPX returned 11.31%/yr vs 11.69%/yr for BSMIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VSCPX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for BSMIX.
Performance
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSCPX achieves a 14.17% return, which is significantly lower than BSMIX's 18.24% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VSCPX having a 11.31% annualized return and BSMIX not far ahead at 11.69%.
VSCPX
- 1D
- -0.68%
- 1M
- 2.34%
- YTD
- 14.17%
- 6M
- 13.55%
- 1Y
- 28.92%
- 3Y*
- 17.06%
- 5Y*
- 7.13%
- 10Y*
- 11.31%
BSMIX
- 1D
- -0.69%
- 1M
- 2.86%
- YTD
- 18.24%
- 6M
- 17.38%
- 1Y
- 36.19%
- 3Y*
- 18.52%
- 5Y*
- 7.57%
- 10Y*
- 11.69%
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 14.17% | 8.86% | 12.98% | 19.52% | -17.59% | 17.75% | 19.09% | 27.40% | -9.31% | 16.27% |
BSMIX iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund | 18.24% | 11.92% | 12.04% | 17.15% | -18.39% | 18.00% | 20.28% | 27.62% | -10.22% | 16.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSCPX and BSMIX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VSCPX and BSMIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VSCPX vs. BSMIX — Risk / Return Rank
VSCPX
BSMIX
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) and iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (BSMIX). 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.
| VSCPX | BSMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.36 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.23 | 3.84 | -0.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.91 | 14.62 | -2.71 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VSCPX | BSMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.78 | 2.10 | -0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 | 0.36 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.53 | 0.54 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 0.55 | -0.02 |
Drawdowns
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSCPX drawdown since its inception was -41.81%, roughly equal to the maximum BSMIX drawdown of -41.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCPX and BSMIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSCPX | BSMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.81% | -41.32% | -0.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.97% | -9.39% | +0.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.25% | -25.49% | +0.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.13% | -28.33% | +0.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.81% | -41.32% | -0.49% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.68% | -0.69% | +0.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.49% | -7.41% | +0.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.42% | 2.47% | -0.05% |
Volatility
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) is 4.44%, while iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (BSMIX) has a volatility of 5.17%. This indicates that VSCPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSCPX | BSMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.44% | 5.17% | -0.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.72% | 12.66% | -0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.29% | 17.23% | -0.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.71% | 21.18% | -0.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.57% | 21.71% | -0.14% |
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSCPX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BSMIX's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VSCPX vs. BSMIX - Dividend Comparison
VSCPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than BSMIX's 2.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSMIX iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund | 2.45% | 2.90% | 2.04% | 1.37% | 4.94% | 4.77% | 4.42% | 2.83% | 4.33% | 2.83% | 1.45% | 0.00% |
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 1.21% | 1.35% | 1.32% | 1.56% | 1.56% | 1.26% | 1.16% | 1.41% | 1.69% | 1.37% | 1.52% | 1.51% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, VSCPX and BSMIX 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.
BSMIX has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to VSCPX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCPX dropped -41.81% vs BSMIX's -41.32%.
BSMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 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.
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