VSGIX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSGIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSGIX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VSMAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSGIX returned 11.86%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for VSMAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VSGIX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGIX achieves a 18.74% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 14.94% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VSGIX having a 11.86% annualized return and VSMAX not far behind at 11.37%.

VSGIX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 6.06%
• YTD: 18.74%
• 6M: 18.16%
• 1Y: 34.12%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

VSMAX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 14.89%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

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

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.74%	8.44%	14.95%	23.07%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.29%	32.77%	-5.70%	21.94%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.94%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VSGIX and VSMAX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.97

The correlation between VSGIX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSGIX	VSMAX
Technology	25.9%	17.2%
Industrials	24.7%	20.8%
Healthcare	15.3%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	11.3%
Financial Services	5.6%	12.6%
Energy	4.8%	4.7%
Real Estate	3.9%	7.6%
Communication Services	3.5%	3.1%
Basic Materials	3.2%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	3.4%
Utilities	1.2%	3.3%

Return for Risk

VSGIX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGIX

VSGIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VSGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VSGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VSGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VSGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VSGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.

	VSGIX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.94	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.74	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.51	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	12.97	-0.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGIX and VSMAX, 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

	VSGIX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	1.94	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.36	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.53	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.39	+0.01

Drawdowns

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGIX drawdown since its inception was -58.66%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGIX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGIX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.66%	-59.68%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-8.97%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.47%	-25.25%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.36%	-28.14%	-10.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	-41.82%	+3.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-9.70%	-1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	2.43%	+0.55%

Volatility

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) has a higher volatility of 5.28% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 4.40%. This indicates that VSGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGIX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.28%	4.40%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.85%	11.72%	+3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.45%	16.27%	+3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.56%	20.71%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.98%	21.57%	+1.41%

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGIX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSGIX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

VSGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than VSMAX's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.45%	0.55%	0.55%	0.68%	0.56%	0.37%	0.45%	0.58%	0.80%	0.82%	1.09%	0.98%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.18%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSGIX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VSGIX and VSMAX 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.

Which is riskier, VSGIX or VSMAX?

VSGIX has higher volatility (5.28%) compared to VSMAX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGIX dropped -58.66% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.86), 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.