WSMDX vs. VEXMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WSMDX (William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) and VEXMX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, WSMDX returned 12.53%/yr vs 12.01%/yr for VEXMX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSMDX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for VEXMX.

Performance

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSMDX achieves a 12.98% return, which is significantly lower than VEXMX's 14.86% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with WSMDX having a 12.53% annualized return and VEXMX not far behind at 12.01%.

WSMDX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 12.98%
• 6M: 12.13%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 6.76%
• 10Y*: 12.53%

VEXMX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 14.86%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 29.96%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: 12.01%

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

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	12.98%	0.63%	27.55%	18.14%	-22.98%	8.28%	32.38%	30.81%	-2.18%	28.85%
VEXMX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund	14.86%	10.93%	15.05%	26.79%	-26.56%	12.31%	32.43%	27.87%	-9.48%	17.94%

Correlation

The correlation between WSMDX and VEXMX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2003	0.95

The correlation between WSMDX and VEXMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WSMDX vs. VEXMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSMDX

WSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 32
WSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
WSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
WSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
WSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
WSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VEXMX

VEXMX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VEXMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VEXMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VEXMX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VEXMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VEXMX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX). 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.

	WSMDX	VEXMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.86	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.59	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.32	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.39	3.11	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.82	10.99	-2.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VEXMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSMDX and VEXMX, 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

	WSMDX	VEXMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	1.86	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.30	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.54	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.54	0.00

Drawdowns

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSMDX drawdown since its inception was -50.33%, smaller than the maximum VEXMX drawdown of -58.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSMDX and VEXMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSMDX	VEXMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.33%	-58.17%	+7.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-10.27%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-27.09%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.89%	-36.38%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.89%	-41.63%	+4.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-11.15%	+2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.90%	+0.21%

Volatility

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Volatility Comparison

William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) has a higher volatility of 5.52% compared to Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX) at 4.69%. This indicates that WSMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEXMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSMDX	VEXMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	4.69%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	12.46%	+1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.26%	17.17%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.05%	22.34%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	22.39%	-0.45%

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSMDX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXMX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSMDX vs. VEXMX - Dividend Comparison

WSMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, more than VEXMX's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXMX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund	0.89%	0.74%	0.74%	1.14%	1.00%	0.99%	1.19%	1.18%	1.52%	1.12%	1.31%	1.20%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.49%	2.81%	24.90%	7.89%	3.34%	9.30%	1.66%	7.13%	8.88%	5.33%	2.64%	5.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSMDX and VEXMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, WSMDX and VEXMX 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, WSMDX or VEXMX?

WSMDX has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to VEXMX (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSMDX dropped -50.33% vs VEXMX's -58.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.51), 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.