VTWG vs. ASQIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTWG (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and ASQIX (American Century Small Company Fund) are both funds - VTWG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while ASQIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Century. Over the past 10 years, VTWG returned 11.33%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for ASQIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTWG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for ASQIX.

Performance

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) and American Century Small Company Fund (ASQIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTWG achieves a 16.90% return, which is significantly lower than ASQIX's 20.09% return. Over the past 10 years, VTWG has outperformed ASQIX with an annualized return of 11.33%, while ASQIX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.67% annualized return.

VTWG

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 16.90%
• 6M: 15.29%
• 1Y: 37.62%
• 3Y*: 18.23%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 11.33%

ASQIX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 20.09%
• 6M: 20.98%
• 1Y: 39.89%
• 3Y*: 17.99%
• 5Y*: 6.75%
• 10Y*: 9.67%

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

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF	16.90%	13.07%	15.15%	18.90%	-26.49%	2.84%	34.72%	28.75%	-9.45%	22.27%
ASQIX American Century Small Company Fund	20.09%	12.93%	4.44%	21.29%	-21.34%	21.65%	16.42%	19.71%	-14.39%	10.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWG and ASQIX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.94

The correlation between VTWG and ASQIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTWG vs. ASQIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWG

VTWG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VTWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VTWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VTWG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VTWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VTWG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

ASQIX

ASQIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
ASQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ASQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
ASQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ASQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
ASQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) and American Century Small Company Fund (ASQIX). 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.

	VTWG	ASQIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.27	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.21	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.38	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	4.69	-2.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.16	14.99	-5.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWG Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the ASQIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWG and ASQIX, 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

	VTWG	ASQIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	2.27	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.32	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.43	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.38	+0.14

Drawdowns

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWG drawdown since its inception was -42.07%, smaller than the maximum ASQIX drawdown of -63.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWG and ASQIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWG	ASQIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.07%	-63.58%	+21.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-8.94%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.58%	-25.78%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.49%	-31.29%	-9.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.07%	-45.59%	+3.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	0.00%	-1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.53%	-11.68%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	2.79%	+1.33%

Volatility

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to American Century Small Company Fund (ASQIX) at 5.32%. This indicates that VTWG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ASQIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTWG	ASQIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	5.32%	+1.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.90%	13.14%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.50%	18.44%	+3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.52%	21.43%	+3.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.21%	22.53%	+1.68%

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ASQIX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTWG vs. ASQIX - Dividend Comparison

VTWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, less than ASQIX's 2.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASQIX American Century Small Company Fund	2.07%	2.57%	0.30%	0.49%	0.55%	18.62%	0.51%	0.34%	13.12%	5.19%	0.37%	0.31%
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF	0.59%	0.64%	0.55%	0.79%	0.71%	0.54%	0.48%	0.72%	0.72%	0.64%	0.96%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWG and ASQIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VTWG and ASQIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VTWG or ASQIX?

VTWG has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to ASQIX (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWG dropped -42.07% vs ASQIX's -63.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ASQIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.76), 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.