WGROX vs. WAAEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WGROX (Wasatch Core Growth Fund) and WAAEX (Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from Wasatch. Over the past 10 years, WGROX returned 10.88%/yr vs 8.80%/yr for WAAEX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WGROX charges 1.17%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for WAAEX.

Performance

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX) and Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund (WAAEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WGROX achieves a 3.76% return, which is significantly higher than WAAEX's -1.44% return. Over the past 10 years, WGROX has outperformed WAAEX with an annualized return of 10.88%, while WAAEX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.80% annualized return.

WGROX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 4.58%
• YTD: 3.76%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: -0.46%
• 3Y*: 8.93%
• 5Y*: 1.10%
• 10Y*: 10.88%

WAAEX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: -1.44%
• 6M: -3.77%
• 1Y: -4.91%
• 3Y*: 5.56%
• 5Y*: -5.09%
• 10Y*: 8.80%

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

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	3.76%	-10.37%	13.13%	33.43%	-30.86%	20.76%	36.73%	33.31%	-3.75%	24.29%
WAAEX Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund	-1.44%	-8.78%	15.50%	21.24%	-40.26%	7.68%	54.65%	40.29%	2.42%	21.72%

Correlation

The correlation between WGROX and WAAEX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 1, 1986	0.91

The correlation between WGROX and WAAEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WGROX vs. WAAEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WGROX

WGROX Risk / Return Rank: 3
WGROX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

WAAEX

WAAEX Risk / Return Rank: 2
WAAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
WAAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
WAAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
WAAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
WAAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX) and Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund (WAAEX). 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.

	WGROX	WAAEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.05	-0.19	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.21	-0.14	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.98	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.06	-0.22	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.15	-0.54	+0.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WGROX Sharpe Ratio is 0.05, which is higher than the WAAEX Sharpe Ratio of -0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WGROX and WAAEX, 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

	WGROX	WAAEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05	-0.19	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	-0.20	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.35	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.49	+0.06

Drawdowns

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WGROX drawdown since its inception was -61.61%, which is greater than WAAEX's maximum drawdown of -56.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WGROX and WAAEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WGROX	WAAEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.61%	-56.48%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.89%	-16.76%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.61%	-27.68%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.16%	-50.51%	+10.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.16%	-50.51%	+10.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.83%	-33.32%	+17.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.90%	-12.13%	+2.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.31%	6.76%	-0.45%

Volatility

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Volatility Comparison

Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX) has a higher volatility of 5.41% compared to Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund (WAAEX) at 4.99%. This indicates that WGROX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WAAEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WGROX	WAAEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	4.99%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.08%	13.94%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.16%	19.02%	+0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.00%	25.41%	-2.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.33%	25.09%	-1.76%

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WGROX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than WAAEX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

WGROX vs. WAAEX - Dividend Comparison

WGROX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.24%, more than WAAEX's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WAAEX Wasatch Small Cap Growth Fund	2.00%	1.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	21.65%	6.25%	14.78%	38.79%	11.70%	8.83%	18.47%
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	8.24%	8.55%	9.22%	0.00%	0.71%	16.82%	7.21%	10.73%	10.14%	6.24%	0.15%	12.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WGROX and WAAEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, WGROX and WAAEX 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, WGROX or WAAEX?

WGROX has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to WAAEX (4.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WGROX dropped -61.61% vs WAAEX's -56.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WGROX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.05 vs -0.19), 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.