WSMDX vs. VLEQX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

WSMDX (William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) and VLEQX (Villere Equity Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSMDX charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for VLEQX.

Performance

WSMDX vs. VLEQX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

WSMDX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.36%
• 6M: 5.41%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 1Y: 20.75%
• 3Y*: 14.81%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 12.22%

VLEQX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WSMDX vs. VLEQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	12.25%	0.63%	27.55%	18.14%	-22.98%	8.28%	32.38%	30.81%	-2.18%	28.85%
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	3.58%	0.26%	1.50%	11.37%	-24.50%	5.80%	14.77%	24.50%	-6.98%	7.34%

Correlation

The correlation between WSMDX and VLEQX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.85

The correlation between WSMDX and VLEQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WSMDX vs. VLEQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSMDX

WSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 31
WSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
WSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
WSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
WSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
WSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

VLEQX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. VLEQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (WSMDX) and Villere Equity Fund (VLEQX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	WSMDX	VLEQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.86	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	WSMDX	VLEQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.78%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WSMDX	VLEQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.17%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.21%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.20%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	—	—

WSMDX vs. VLEQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSMDX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is lower than VLEQX's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSMDX vs. VLEQX - Dividend Comparison

WSMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than VLEQX's 13.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLEQX Villere Equity Fund	13.57%	0.54%	0.40%	4.64%	2.88%	8.24%	0.73%	0.17%	0.34%	0.00%	0.11%	1.76%
WSMDX William Blair Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.50%	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 VLEQX in my portfolio?

WSMDX and VLEQX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.