VSGAX vs. VEXRX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX).
VSGAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Sep 27, 2011. VEXRX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 12, 2001.
Performance
VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Performance Comparison
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VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares | -3.92% | 8.44% | 14.94% | 23.04% | -28.39% | 5.70% | 35.26% | 32.76% | -5.69% | 21.92% |
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares | -3.73% | 7.19% | 17.40% | 19.90% | -23.23% | 16.07% | 31.51% | 31.42% | -2.34% | 22.64% |
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VSGAX having a -3.92% return and VEXRX slightly higher at -3.73%. Over the past 10 years, VSGAX has underperformed VEXRX with an annualized return of 9.98%, while VEXRX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return.
VSGAX
- 1D
- -1.76%
- 1M
- -9.44%
- YTD
- -3.92%
- 6M
- -2.46%
- 1Y
- 15.66%
- 3Y*
- 10.85%
- 5Y*
- 1.69%
- 10Y*
- 9.98%
VEXRX
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -8.34%
- YTD
- -3.73%
- 6M
- -1.97%
- 1Y
- 13.28%
- 3Y*
- 10.72%
- 5Y*
- 3.95%
- 10Y*
- 11.74%
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VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSGAX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VEXRX's 0.29% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VSGAX vs. VEXRX — Risk / Return Rank
VSGAX
VEXRX
VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX). 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.
| VSGAX | VEXRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.63 | 0.59 | +0.04 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.04 | 0.97 | +0.07 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.13 | +0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.87 | 0.74 | +0.13 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.51 | 3.13 | +0.38 |
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
| VSGAX | VEXRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.63 | 0.59 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | 0.19 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.54 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.43 | +0.08 |
Correlation
The correlation between VSGAX and VEXRX is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Dividend Comparison
VSGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than VEXRX's 7.83% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.67% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.81% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
VEXRX Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares | 7.83% | 7.54% | 12.72% | 0.89% | 5.22% | 16.17% | 6.76% | 5.08% | 11.13% | 11.46% | 4.63% | 10.89% |
Drawdowns
VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSGAX drawdown since its inception was -38.70%, smaller than the maximum VEXRX drawdown of -57.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGAX and VEXRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSGAX | VEXRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.70% | -57.26% | +18.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.50% | -14.14% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.36% | -32.67% | -5.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | -39.86% | +1.16% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.37% | -10.16% | -1.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.64% | -10.00% | +1.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.59% | 3.35% | +0.24% |
Volatility
VSGAX vs. VEXRX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) has a higher volatility of 7.60% compared to Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) at 6.37%. This indicates that VSGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEXRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSGAX | VEXRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.60% | 6.37% | +1.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.11% | 12.63% | +2.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.20% | 21.98% | +2.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.49% | 21.26% | +2.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.90% | 21.77% | +1.13% |