VTMSX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTMSX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - VTMSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, VTMSX returned 10.79%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTMSX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VTMSX vs. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTMSX achieves a 16.65% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VTMSX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.79%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

VTMSX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 6M: 15.43%
• 1Y: 32.94%
• 3Y*: 14.82%
• 5Y*: 5.98%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

VTMSX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	16.65%	5.93%	8.61%	15.95%	-16.16%	27.08%	11.05%	23.28%	-8.62%	13.05%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VTMSX and VUG is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between VTMSX and VUG has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VTMSX vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTMSX	VUG
Financial Services	16.7%	4.3%
Industrials	15.6%	3.6%
Technology	15.4%	53.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	12.2%
Healthcare	10.9%	4.6%
Real Estate	7.8%	1.0%
Energy	6.0%	0.4%
Basic Materials	5.3%	0.6%
Communication Services	3.5%	17.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	1.5%
Utilities	1.9%	0.9%

Return for Risk

VTMSX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTMSX

VTMSX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VTMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VTMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VTMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VTMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.77	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.40	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	1.69	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.62	5.92	+7.69
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTMSX and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	1.77	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.68	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.85	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.62	-0.16

Drawdowns

VTMSX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTMSX drawdown since its inception was -57.84%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTMSX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTMSX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.84%	-50.68%	-7.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.59%	-16.53%	+7.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.93%	-22.85%	-5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-35.61%	+7.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.88%	-35.61%	-8.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.51%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.93%	-7.09%	-1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	4.71%	-2.13%

Volatility

VTMSX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares (VTMSX) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that VTMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTMSX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	3.83%	+0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	12.11%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.53%	15.84%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	22.22%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.12%	21.44%	+1.68%

VTMSX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTMSX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% 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

VTMSX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VTMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTMSX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Admiral Shares	1.15%	1.28%	1.44%	1.50%	1.51%	1.16%	1.09%	1.15%	1.26%	1.11%	1.01%	1.26%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTMSX and VUG in my portfolio?

VTMSX and VUG have a correlation of 0.54, 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 VUG?

VTMSX has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTMSX dropped -57.84% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.77), 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.