VSFAX vs. VB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSFAX (Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - VSFAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Federated, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, VSFAX returned 10.45%/yr vs 11.30%/yr for VB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSFAX charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

VSFAX vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund (VSFAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VSFAX having a 13.66% return and VB slightly higher at 14.16%. Over the past 10 years, VSFAX has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 10.45%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.30% annualized return.

VSFAX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 4.64%
• YTD: 13.66%
• 6M: 14.60%
• 1Y: 30.75%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

VB

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 14.16%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 28.82%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: 11.30%

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

VSFAX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSFAX Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund	13.66%	7.53%	20.49%	10.43%	-8.82%	30.14%	9.13%	19.67%	-18.43%	12.06%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.16%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VSFAX and VB is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between VSFAX and VB has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VSFAX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSFAX

VSFAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VSFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VSFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VSFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VSFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VSFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 56
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

VSFAX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund (VSFAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	VSFAX	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.78	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.56	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	3.22	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.65	11.87	-1.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSFAX vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSFAX and VB, 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

	VSFAX	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.78	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.34	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.53	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.44	-0.19

Drawdowns

VSFAX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSFAX drawdown since its inception was -78.14%, which is greater than VB's maximum drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSFAX and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSFAX	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.14%	-59.56%	-18.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-8.98%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.07%	-25.36%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-28.15%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.57%	-42.05%	-6.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.65%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-8.44%	-12.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	2.43%	+0.47%

Volatility

VSFAX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund (VSFAX) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.42%. This indicates that VSFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSFAX	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	4.42%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.39%	11.72%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	16.28%	+1.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.32%	20.74%	+2.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.06%	21.42%	+2.64%

VSFAX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSFAX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSFAX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

VSFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%
VSFAX Federated Hermes Clover Small Value Fund	3.04%	3.45%	20.39%	2.91%	9.15%	8.62%	0.11%	0.35%	23.83%	16.53%	2.33%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSFAX and VB in my portfolio?

VSFAX and VB have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSFAX or VB?

VSFAX has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to VB (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSFAX dropped -78.14% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.74), 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.