^DWCF vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

^DWCF (Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index) is an index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^DWCF returned 13.17%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index (^DWCF) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^DWCF achieves a 11.22% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -4.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ^DWCF having a 13.17% annualized return and BRK-B not far behind at 12.93%.

^DWCF

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 11.22%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 27.20%
• 3Y*: 20.78%
• 5Y*: 11.23%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: -4.78%
• 6M: -4.89%
• 1Y: -2.52%
• 3Y*: 13.36%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

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

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^DWCF Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index	11.22%	15.59%	22.21%	24.06%	-20.80%	24.01%	18.72%	28.42%	-7.04%	18.89%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-4.78%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between ^DWCF and BRK-B is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 1996	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between ^DWCF and BRK-B has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

^DWCF vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

^DWCF

^DWCF Risk / Return Rank: 76
^DWCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
^DWCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
^DWCF Omega Ratio Rank: 73
^DWCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
^DWCF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 31
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index (^DWCF) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	^DWCF	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	-0.18	+2.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	-0.15	+3.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	0.98	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	-0.27	+3.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.60	-0.57	+14.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^DWCF Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^DWCF and BRK-B, 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

	^DWCF	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	-0.18	+2.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.61	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.67	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.48	+0.02

Drawdowns

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^DWCF drawdown since its inception was -56.81%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^DWCF and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	^DWCF	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.81%	-53.86%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-9.42%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.59%	-14.95%	-4.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.31%	-26.58%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.14%	-29.57%	-5.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-11.33%	+11.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-11.07%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	4.46%	-2.45%

Volatility

^DWCF vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index (^DWCF) is 3.03%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that ^DWCF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^DWCF	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	3.72%	-0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	10.70%	-1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.28%	14.32%	-2.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.11%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.46%	19.43%	-0.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^DWCF and BRK-B in my portfolio?

^DWCF and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^DWCF or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to ^DWCF (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^DWCF dropped -56.81% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^DWCF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs -0.18), 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.