VSMGX vs. AOA
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) and iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA).
VSMGX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Sep 30, 1994. AOA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Target Risk Aggressive Index. It was launched on Nov 4, 2008.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VSMGX or AOA.
Key characteristics
| VSMGX | AOA | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 11.57% | 14.90% |
| 1Y Return | 18.99% | 22.27% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 1.21% | 4.44% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 5.64% | 8.87% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 5.56% | 7.92% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.44 | 2.53 |
| Sortino Ratio | 3.54 | 3.56 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.46 | 1.47 |
| Calmar Ratio | 1.44 | 3.40 |
| Martin Ratio | 15.06 | 16.66 |
| Ulcer Index | 1.26% | 1.49% |
| Daily Std Dev | 7.77% | 9.81% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.18% | -28.38% |
| Current Drawdown | -0.71% | -1.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSMGX and AOA is 0.94, 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.
Performance
VSMGX vs. AOA - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VSMGX achieves a 11.57% return, which is significantly lower than AOA's 14.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VSMGX has underperformed AOA with an annualized return of 5.56%, while AOA has yielded a comparatively higher 7.92% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VSMGX vs. AOA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSMGX has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than AOA's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VSMGX vs. AOA - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) and iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA). 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.
Dividends
VSMGX vs. AOA - Dividend Comparison
VSMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than AOA's 2.10% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund | 2.59% | 2.63% | 2.10% | 1.91% | 1.71% | 2.45% | 2.65% | 2.15% | 2.22% | 2.19% | 2.10% | 1.93% |
AOA iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF | 2.10% | 2.22% | 2.10% | 1.67% | 1.71% | 2.50% | 2.37% | 5.09% | 2.02% | 2.15% | 2.18% | 1.84% |
Drawdowns
VSMGX vs. AOA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSMGX drawdown since its inception was -41.18%, which is greater than AOA's maximum drawdown of -28.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMGX and AOA. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VSMGX vs. AOA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) is 2.04%, while iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) has a volatility of 2.64%. This indicates that VSMGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AOA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.