VVIAX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VVIAX (Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VVIAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, while VSMAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VVIAX returned 12.29%/yr vs 10.95%/yr for VSMAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VVIAX achieves a 11.57% return, which is significantly lower than VSMAX's 12.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VVIAX has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 12.29%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.95% annualized return.

VVIAX

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 2.33%
• YTD: 11.57%
• 6M: 13.11%
• 1Y: 25.10%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

VSMAX

• 1D: -2.40%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 12.21%
• 6M: 12.02%
• 1Y: 25.46%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 6.74%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

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

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VVIAX Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.57%	15.27%	16.00%	9.22%	-2.07%	26.51%	2.29%	25.81%	-5.45%	17.13%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.21%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VVIAX and VSMAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.87

The correlation between VVIAX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VVIAX	VSMAX
Financial Services	22.3%	12.6%
Healthcare	14.5%	11.1%
Industrials	14.0%	20.8%
Technology	13.4%	17.2%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	3.4%
Energy	8.1%	4.7%
Utilities	5.2%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	11.3%
Communication Services	3.3%	3.1%
Basic Materials	3.1%	4.8%
Real Estate	2.8%	7.6%

Return for Risk

VVIAX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VVIAX

VVIAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VVIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VVIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VVIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VVIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VVIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VVIAX) 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.

	VVIAX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	1.64	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.35	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.29	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	3.01	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.64	11.09	+4.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VVIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is higher than the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VVIAX and VSMAX, 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

	VVIAX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	1.64	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.33	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.51	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.39	+0.03

Drawdowns

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VVIAX drawdown since its inception was -59.32%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VVIAX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VVIAX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.32%	-59.68%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.36%	-8.97%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.39%	-25.25%	+10.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.14%	-28.14%	+11.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.80%	-41.82%	+5.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.37%	-2.40%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-9.69%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	2.43%	-0.74%

Volatility

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VVIAX) is 2.92%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 4.84%. This indicates that VVIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VVIAX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	4.84%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	11.97%	-4.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.19%	16.45%	-6.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	20.73%	-6.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	21.57%	-4.83%

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VVIAX and VSMAX have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VVIAX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

VVIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, more than VSMAX's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.21%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%
VVIAX Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.86%	2.04%	2.30%	2.45%	2.51%	2.14%	2.55%	2.49%	2.72%	2.29%	2.45%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VVIAX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

VVIAX and VSMAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VVIAX or VSMAX?

VSMAX has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to VVIAX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VVIAX dropped -59.32% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VVIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.64), 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.