VSPMX vs. TARKX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSPMX (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and TARKX (Tarkio Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VSPMX returned 10.86%/yr vs 14.83%/yr for TARKX. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSPMX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for TARKX.

Performance

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) and Tarkio Fund (TARKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSPMX achieves a 14.75% return, which is significantly lower than TARKX's 22.38% return. Over the past 10 years, VSPMX has underperformed TARKX with an annualized return of 10.86%, while TARKX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.83% annualized return.

VSPMX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.93%
• 6M: 10.29%
• YTD: 14.75%
• 1Y: 22.95%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 10.86%
• ALL TIME*: 12.05%

TARKX

• 1D: 3.94%
• 1M: 0.87%
• 6M: 14.37%
• YTD: 22.38%
• 1Y: 45.72%
• 3Y*: 24.84%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 14.83%
• ALL TIME*: 13.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TARKX Tarkio Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSPMX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSPMX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares	14.75%	7.11%	12.83%	17.42%	-13.12%	24.66%	13.53%	26.12%	-11.14%	16.18%
TARKX Tarkio Fund	22.38%	30.18%	21.72%	26.33%	-30.39%	24.41%	27.00%	29.54%	-23.30%	29.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VSPMX and TARKX is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.88

The correlation between VSPMX and TARKX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VSPMX vs. TARKX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSPMX

VSPMX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VSPMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VSPMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VSPMX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VSPMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VSPMX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

TARKX

TARKX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
TARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
TARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
TARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
TARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) and Tarkio Fund (TARKX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VSPMX	TARKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.50	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.10	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	2.58	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.23	8.86	-0.64

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSPMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the TARKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSPMX and TARKX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSPMX drawdown since its inception was -42.04%, roughly equal to the maximum TARKX drawdown of -40.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSPMX and TARKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSPMX	TARKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.04%	-40.55%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-16.99%	+8.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.27%	-36.99%	+12.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.27%	-40.38%	+16.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.04%	-40.55%	-1.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.19%	-4.00%	+1.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.05%	-10.30%	+5.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	4.94%	-2.51%

Volatility

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPMX) is 3.48%, while Tarkio Fund (TARKX) has a volatility of 8.19%. This indicates that VSPMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TARKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSPMX	TARKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	8.19%	-4.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.56%	22.54%	-10.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.66%	29.27%	-13.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.59%	27.83%	-8.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	26.80%	-5.83%

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSPMX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than TARKX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSPMX vs. TARKX - Dividend Comparison

VSPMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than TARKX's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TARKX Tarkio Fund	4.50%	5.50%	1.51%	2.98%	10.62%	1.40%	0.50%	5.21%	3.34%	1.70%	0.47%	0.36%
VSPMX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.22%	1.07%	1.32%	1.26%	1.59%	1.15%	1.24%	1.49%	1.64%	1.27%	1.54%	1.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSPMX and TARKX in my portfolio?

VSPMX and TARKX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSPMX or TARKX?

TARKX has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to VSPMX (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSPMX dropped -42.04% vs TARKX's -40.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TARKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.27), 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.