VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTMSX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares) is Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while ^SP500TR (S&P 500 Total Return) is an index. Over the past 10 years, VTMSX returned 10.70%/yr vs 15.58%/yr for ^SP500TR. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTMSX achieves a 15.67% return, which is significantly higher than ^SP500TR's 11.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VTMSX has underperformed ^SP500TR with an annualized return of 10.70%, while ^SP500TR has yielded a comparatively higher 15.58% annualized return.

VTMSX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 15.67%
• 6M: 14.69%
• 1Y: 32.17%
• 3Y*: 14.50%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 10.70%

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 11.36%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.58%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

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

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	15.67%	5.93%	8.61%	15.95%	-16.16%	27.08%	11.05%	23.28%	-8.62%	13.05%
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	11.36%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	31.49%	-4.38%	21.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VTMSX and ^SP500TR is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1999	0.83

The correlation between VTMSX and ^SP500TR shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (3 years) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VTMSX

VTMSX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VTMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VTMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VTMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VTMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VTMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 84
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). 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.

	VTMSX	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.42	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	3.30	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.44	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	3.23	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.35	15.09	-2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTMSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTMSX and ^SP500TR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTMSX	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.42	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.83	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.87	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.65	-0.19

Drawdowns

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTMSX drawdown since its inception was -57.84%, roughly equal to the maximum ^SP500TR drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTMSX and ^SP500TR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTMSX	^SP500TR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.84%	-55.25%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.59%	-8.89%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.93%	-18.75%	-9.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-24.49%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.88%	-33.79%	-10.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-0.32%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.93%	-8.16%	-0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	1.90%	+0.68%

Volatility

VTMSX vs. ^SP500TR - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) has a higher volatility of 4.48% compared to S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) at 2.87%. This indicates that VTMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^SP500TR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTMSX	^SP500TR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.48%	2.87%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	9.00%	+2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.55%	11.88%	+5.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	16.90%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.12%	18.06%	+5.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTMSX and ^SP500TR in my portfolio?

VTMSX and ^SP500TR have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTMSX or ^SP500TR?

VTMSX has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to ^SP500TR (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTMSX dropped -57.84% vs ^SP500TR's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^SP500TR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.83), 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.