VSTCX vs. FNDA
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA).
VSTCX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 24, 2006. FNDA is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell RAFI Small Company US. It was launched on Aug 15, 2013.
Performance
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | -0.83% | 15.20% | 15.40% | 21.34% | -13.00% | 33.53% | 8.38% | 22.18% | -11.87% | 9.21% |
FNDA Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF | 3.11% | 7.44% | 9.00% | 20.29% | -14.83% | 31.12% | 8.44% | 24.34% | -12.12% | 12.68% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSTCX achieves a -0.83% return, which is significantly lower than FNDA's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX has outperformed FNDA with an annualized return of 10.96%, while FNDA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.01% annualized return.
VSTCX
- 1D
- -1.06%
- 1M
- -6.50%
- YTD
- -0.83%
- 6M
- 2.92%
- 1Y
- 26.01%
- 3Y*
- 15.69%
- 5Y*
- 9.42%
- 10Y*
- 10.96%
FNDA
- 1D
- 2.59%
- 1M
- -5.58%
- YTD
- 3.11%
- 6M
- 4.77%
- 1Y
- 19.91%
- 3Y*
- 11.61%
- 5Y*
- 6.25%
- 10Y*
- 10.01%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSTCX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDA's 0.25% 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
VSTCX vs. FNDA — Risk / Return Rank
VSTCX
FNDA
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA). 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.
| VSTCX | FNDA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.15 | 0.91 | +0.24 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.69 | 1.41 | +0.29 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.19 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.59 | 1.40 | +0.20 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.00 | 5.33 | +1.67 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VSTCX | FNDA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.15 | 0.91 | +0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.30 | +0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.45 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.35 | 0.45 | -0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between VSTCX and FNDA is 0.97, 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
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Dividend Comparison
VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, more than FNDA's 1.21% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | 7.61% | 7.55% | 9.66% | 2.50% | 7.44% | 19.92% | 1.24% | 4.14% | 11.74% | 5.76% | 1.35% | 2.33% |
FNDA Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF | 1.21% | 1.22% | 1.53% | 1.37% | 1.38% | 1.15% | 1.31% | 1.38% | 1.64% | 1.30% | 1.18% | 1.33% |
Drawdowns
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, which is greater than FNDA's maximum drawdown of -44.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and FNDA.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| VSTCX | FNDA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.50% | -44.64% | -17.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.47% | -14.42% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.47% | -25.92% | -1.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.08% | -44.64% | -3.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.95% | -6.96% | -0.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.73% | -6.76% | -3.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 3.77% | -0.48% |
Volatility
VSTCX vs. FNDA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) is 6.04%, while Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA) has a volatility of 6.37%. This indicates that VSTCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FNDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| VSTCX | FNDA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.04% | 6.37% | -0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.99% | 12.74% | +0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.55% | 22.04% | +0.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 21.01% | +1.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.44% | 22.36% | +1.08% |