VSTCX vs. VSMAX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX).
VSTCX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 24, 2006. VSMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
VSTCX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison
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VSTCX vs. VSMAX - 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% |
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% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSTCX achieves a -0.83% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's -1.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 10.96%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.15% 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%
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%
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VSTCX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSTCX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% 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. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank
VSTCX
VSMAX
VSTCX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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 | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.15 | 0.75 | +0.40 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.69 | 1.19 | +0.51 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.16 | +0.07 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.59 | 0.97 | +0.62 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.00 | 4.20 | +2.80 |
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
| VSTCX | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.15 | 0.75 | +0.40 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.24 | +0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.35 | 0.37 | -0.02 |
Correlation
The correlation between VSTCX and VSMAX is 0.98, 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. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison
VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, more than VSMAX's 1.38% 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% |
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% |
Drawdowns
VSTCX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and VSMAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSTCX | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.50% | -59.68% | -2.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.47% | -14.30% | -0.17% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.47% | -28.14% | +0.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.08% | -41.82% | -6.26% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.95% | -8.97% | +1.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.73% | -9.75% | -0.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 3.30% | -0.01% |
Volatility
VSTCX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) have volatilities of 6.04% and 5.91%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSTCX | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.04% | 5.91% | +0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.99% | 12.22% | +0.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.55% | 21.62% | +0.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 20.69% | +1.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.44% | 21.52% | +1.92% |