VSMAX vs. SWSSX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX).
VSMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000. SWSSX is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. It was launched on May 19, 1997.
Performance
VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Performance Comparison
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VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | -1.21% | 8.83% | 14.23% | 18.17% | -17.61% | 17.74% | 19.06% | 27.36% | -9.33% | 16.24% |
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares | -2.49% | 12.88% | 11.57% | 17.07% | -20.43% | 14.77% | 20.12% | 25.63% | -11.19% | 14.76% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSMAX achieves a -1.21% return, which is significantly higher than SWSSX's -2.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VSMAX has outperformed SWSSX with an annualized return of 10.15%, while SWSSX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.50% annualized return.
VSMAX
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- -8.09%
- YTD
- -1.21%
- 6M
- 0.58%
- 1Y
- 16.07%
- 3Y*
- 11.85%
- 5Y*
- 5.02%
- 10Y*
- 10.15%
SWSSX
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- -8.18%
- YTD
- -2.49%
- 6M
- -0.36%
- 1Y
- 21.55%
- 3Y*
- 11.83%
- 5Y*
- 3.10%
- 10Y*
- 9.50%
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VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSMAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SWSSX's 0.04% 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%.
Return for Risk
VSMAX vs. SWSSX — Risk / Return Rank
VSMAX
SWSSX
VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX). 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.
| VSMAX | SWSSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.75 | 0.91 | -0.16 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.19 | 1.40 | -0.22 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.18 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.97 | 1.33 | -0.36 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.20 | 5.02 | -0.82 |
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
| VSMAX | SWSSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 | 0.91 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 | 0.14 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.40 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.37 | 0.33 | +0.03 |
Correlation
The correlation between VSMAX and SWSSX is 0.99, 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
VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Dividend Comparison
VSMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than SWSSX's 1.32% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.38% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.56% | 1.54% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.49% | 1.48% |
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares | 1.32% | 1.29% | 1.66% | 1.49% | 1.32% | 8.88% | 2.55% | 6.12% | 10.45% | 5.22% | 4.10% | 6.92% |
Drawdowns
VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSMAX drawdown since its inception was -59.68%, roughly equal to the maximum SWSSX drawdown of -60.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMAX and SWSSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSMAX | SWSSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.68% | -60.34% | +0.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.30% | -13.90% | -0.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.14% | -31.93% | +3.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.82% | -41.81% | -0.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.97% | -11.00% | +2.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.75% | -10.78% | +1.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.30% | 3.68% | -0.38% |
Volatility
VSMAX vs. SWSSX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) is 5.91%, while Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) has a volatility of 6.59%. This indicates that VSMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SWSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSMAX | SWSSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.91% | 6.59% | -0.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.22% | 14.12% | -1.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.62% | 23.11% | -1.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.69% | 22.57% | -1.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.52% | 24.03% | -2.51% |