VSTCX vs. VEIRX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) and VEIRX (Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSTCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VEIRX is a Dividend fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX returned 12.56%/yr vs 11.82%/yr for VEIRX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSTCX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for VEIRX.

Performance

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares (VEIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTCX achieves a 21.78% return, which is significantly higher than VEIRX's 11.87% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX has outperformed VEIRX with an annualized return of 12.56%, while VEIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.82% annualized return.

VSTCX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -1.13%
• 6M: 17.27%
• YTD: 21.78%
• 1Y: 42.42%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 12.56%
• ALL TIME*: 9.46%

VEIRX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.92%
• 6M: 8.20%
• YTD: 11.87%
• 1Y: 23.32%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 11.73%
• 10Y*: 11.82%
• ALL TIME*: 9.07%

*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)
VEIRX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	21.78%	15.20%	15.40%	21.34%	-13.00%	33.53%	8.38%	22.18%	-11.87%	9.21%
VEIRX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares	11.87%	17.25%	14.91%	7.76%	-0.08%	25.49%	3.08%	25.34%	-5.68%	17.68%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTCX and VEIRX is 0.69, 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.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2006	0.84

The correlation between VSTCX and VEIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSTCX	VEIRX
Financial Services	18.3%	19.8%
Industrials	16.1%	9.4%
Technology	14.9%	14.1%
Healthcare	14.1%	14.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	5.8%
Real Estate	6.5%	2.5%
Energy	6.2%	8.3%
Basic Materials	5.2%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	9.4%
Communication Services	2.4%	2.9%
Utilities	2.3%	7.0%

Return for Risk

VSTCX vs. VEIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTCX

VSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 90
VSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VEIRX

VEIRX Risk / Return Rank: 84
VEIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VEIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VEIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VEIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VEIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares (VEIRX). 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.

	VSTCX	VEIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.02	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	2.90	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.76	2.91	+1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.72	10.99	+5.73

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the VEIRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTCX and VEIRX, 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

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, which is greater than VEIRX's maximum drawdown of -54.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and VEIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTCX	VEIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.50%	-54.02%	-8.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-7.13%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.47%	-13.36%	-14.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.47%	-15.12%	-12.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.08%	-35.26%	-12.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.86%	-0.85%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.58%	-6.46%	-4.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	1.90%	+0.40%

Volatility

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares (VEIRX) at 2.57%. This indicates that VSTCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTCX	VEIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	2.57%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.46%	7.39%	+5.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.64%	10.28%	+7.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.88%	13.84%	+8.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.42%	16.25%	+7.17%

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTCX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VEIRX's 0.19% 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

VSTCX vs. VEIRX - Dividend Comparison

VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.20%, less than VEIRX's 9.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEIRX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares	9.92%	11.03%	9.83%	7.96%	8.79%	7.71%	2.86%	4.45%	10.98%	3.04%	3.87%	6.48%
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	6.20%	7.55%	9.66%	2.50%	7.44%	19.92%	1.24%	4.14%	11.74%	5.76%	1.35%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTCX and VEIRX in my portfolio?

VSTCX and VEIRX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTCX or VEIRX?

VSTCX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to VEIRX (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTCX dropped -62.50% vs VEIRX's -54.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.02), 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.