VSCPX vs. VPMAX
VSCPX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSCPX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VPMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSCPX returned 10.96%/yr vs 16.66%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSCPX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VPMAX.
Performance
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSCPX achieves a 15.46% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 20.70% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCPX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 10.96%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.66% annualized return.
VSCPX
- 1D
- 0.91%
- 1M
- -1.56%
- 6M
- 10.37%
- YTD
- 15.46%
- 1Y
- 26.16%
- 3Y*
- 13.96%
- 5Y*
- 7.50%
- 10Y*
- 10.96%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.06%
VPMAX
- 1D
- 2.95%
- 1M
- -3.97%
- 6M
- 14.66%
- YTD
- 20.70%
- 1Y
- 47.11%
- 3Y*
- 23.43%
- 5Y*
- 14.89%
- 10Y*
- 16.66%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.32%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 15.46% | 8.86% | 12.98% | 19.52% | -17.59% | 17.75% | 19.09% | 27.40% | -9.31% | 16.27% |
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares | 20.70% | 29.70% | 13.30% | 28.25% | -15.16% | 21.72% | 17.23% | 27.88% | -1.93% | 28.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSCPX and VPMAX is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.77 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2010 | 0.86 |
The correlation between VSCPX and VPMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VSCPX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank
VSCPX
VPMAX
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - 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 Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.
| VSCPX | VPMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.40 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.57 | 3.73 | -1.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.41 | 14.01 | -4.60 |
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Drawdowns
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSCPX drawdown since its inception was -41.81%, smaller than the maximum VPMAX drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCPX and VPMAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSCPX | VPMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.81% | -48.32% | +6.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.97% | -11.72% | +2.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.25% | -20.55% | -4.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.13% | -25.21% | -2.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.81% | -32.65% | -9.16% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.35% | -7.53% | +5.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.44% | -6.56% | +0.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | 3.12% | -0.67% |
Volatility
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) is 3.31%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.29%. This indicates that VSCPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSCPX | VPMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.31% | 6.29% | -2.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.97% | 16.18% | -4.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.47% | 19.08% | -2.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.67% | 18.81% | +1.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.52% | 19.39% | +2.13% |
VSCPX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSCPX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.27% 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. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison
VSCPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, less than VPMAX's 13.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares | 13.63% | 16.46% | 6.71% | 7.24% | 9.94% | 10.18% | 9.82% | 7.23% | 8.43% | 4.52% | 5.13% | 5.99% |
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 1.23% | 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
VSCPX and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VPMAX has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to VSCPX (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCPX dropped -41.81% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.
VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.40), 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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