VSGAX vs. VMAX

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) and Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX).

VSGAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Sep 27, 2011. VMAX is an actively managed fund by Hartford. It was launched on Dec 5, 2023.

Performance

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) and Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.13%	8.44%	14.94%	10.14%
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	4.56%	15.65%	15.89%	6.98%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGAX achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly lower than VMAX's 4.56% return.

VSGAX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -3.55%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 19.19%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 2.34%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

VMAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: 4.56%
• 6M: 7.40%
• 1Y: 19.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGAX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VMAX's 0.29% expense ratio.

VMAX

Hartford US Value ETF

VSGAX

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

VSGAX vs. VMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGAX

VSGAX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VSGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VSGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VSGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VSGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VSGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VMAX

VMAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
VMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VSGAX vs. VMAX - 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 Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX). 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	VMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	1.04	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	1.50	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.23	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.51	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.96	7.33	-1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is comparable to the VMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGAX and VMAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSGAX	VMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	1.04	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	1.22	-0.69

Correlation

The correlation between VSGAX and VMAX is 0.80, 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. VMAX - Dividend Comparison

VSGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than VMAX's 2.04% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.52%	0.54%	0.54%	0.67%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.81%	1.08%	0.98%
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	2.04%	2.14%	1.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGAX drawdown since its inception was -38.70%, which is greater than VMAX's maximum drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGAX and VMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGAX	VMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.70%	-19.05%	-19.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-7.74%	-3.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.72%	-1.64%	-5.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.63%	-2.72%	-5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	2.77%	+0.88%

Volatility

VSGAX vs. VMAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) has a higher volatility of 8.73% compared to Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) at 3.90%. This indicates that VSGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGAX	VMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.73%	3.90%	+4.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.72%	9.83%	+5.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.53%	18.40%	+6.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.54%	15.78%	+7.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	15.78%	+7.16%