VO: Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on smaller US companies, historically more volatile than the large caps.
Data updated October 2026
VO · US exchange · USDCategory: US small and mid cap ETFsData from June 2020
From June 2020 to October 2026 VO returned 11.5% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $20,001.
Its deepest fall was 28.3%, from November 2021 to October 2022, and it took about 34 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 17.4%; at the last close it was 4.8% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 76 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.91: they moved almost in lockstep. Beta was 0.99. In months when SPY rose, VO moved 88% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 105% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +11.5%
- 1-year return
- +11.8%
- 5 years, a year
- +5.6%
- 10 years, a year
- —
- Annual volatility
- 17.4%
- Maximum drawdown
- −28.3%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.55
- Worst year
- 2022: −19.7%
Trailing returns
| Period | VO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +11.8% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +17.0% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +5.6% | +12.7% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: VO vs SPY
Month-end values from July 2020, the first month both funds have data.
VO drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | +11.2% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +10.3% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +14.0% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +14.6% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −19.7% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +23.6% | +28.7% |
| 2020(partial) | +25.7% | — |
VO compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of VO?
From June 2020 to October 2026 VO returned 11.5% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +5.6% a year. Over the last 12 months: +11.8%.
What was the worst drawdown of VO?
28.3%, from November 2021 to October 2022; it took about 34 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is VO?
Annual volatility was 17.4% over the period. Its worst month was −10.2% and 58% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−19.7%).
How closely does VO follow SPY?
Over 76 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.91, so they moved almost in lockstep, with a beta of 0.99.
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Other US small and mid cap ETFs
- All US small and mid cap ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- IWM — iShares Russell 2000 ETFCAGR +8.0%
- IJR — iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETFCAGR +8.6%
- VB — Vanguard Small-Cap ETFCAGR +12.7%
- IJH — iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETFCAGR +8.4%
- MDY — SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF TrustCAGR +9.3%
- SCHA — Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETFCAGR +10.8%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.