WAEMX vs. VFINX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

WAEMX (Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund) and VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - WAEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Wasatch, while VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, WAEMX returned 8.49%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for VFINX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WAEMX charges 1.91%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFINX.

Performance

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAEMX achieves a 25.29% return, which is significantly higher than VFINX's 11.29% return. Over the past 10 years, WAEMX has underperformed VFINX with an annualized return of 8.49%, while VFINX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

WAEMX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: 25.29%
• 6M: 29.38%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 13.05%
• 5Y*: 2.23%
• 10Y*: 8.49%

VFINX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.49%
• YTD: 11.29%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 27.74%
• 3Y*: 22.55%
• 5Y*: 13.85%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	25.29%	5.85%	-2.21%	21.20%	-38.76%	30.16%	32.79%	27.45%	-18.97%	38.20%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	11.29%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%

Correlation

The correlation between WAEMX and VFINX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2007	0.59

The correlation between WAEMX and VFINX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WAEMX vs. VFINX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAEMX

WAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 64
WAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
WAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
WAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
WAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
WAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). 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.

	WAEMX	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.40	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.28	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	3.20	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.96	14.94	-0.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VFINX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAEMX and VFINX, 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

	WAEMX	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.40	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.82	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.86	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.62	-0.31

Drawdowns

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAEMX drawdown since its inception was -66.35%, which is greater than VFINX's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAEMX and VFINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAEMX	VFINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.35%	-55.25%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-8.92%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.56%	-18.76%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.88%	-24.59%	-20.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.88%	-33.83%	-11.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	-0.32%	-6.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.81%	-8.28%	-8.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	1.91%	+0.64%

Volatility

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Volatility Comparison

Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) at 2.87%. This indicates that WAEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WAEMX	VFINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.70%	2.87%	+2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.58%	9.00%	+5.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.50%	11.88%	+5.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.73%	16.90%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	18.06%	+0.12%

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAEMX has a 1.91% expense ratio, which is higher than VFINX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

WAEMX vs. VFINX - Dividend Comparison

WAEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 56.19%, more than VFINX's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.93%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	56.19%	70.40%	6.49%	0.00%	3.32%	6.03%	7.15%	5.82%	12.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WAEMX and VFINX in my portfolio?

WAEMX and VFINX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WAEMX or VFINX?

WAEMX has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to VFINX (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WAEMX dropped -66.35% vs VFINX's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.04), 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.