AWAY vs. VB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AWAY (ETFMG Travel Tech ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AWAY is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Prime Travel Technology Index, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AWAY returned -10.70%/yr vs 6.99%/yr for VB. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AWAY charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

AWAY vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWAY achieves a -15.46% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.80% return.

AWAY

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 6.45%
• YTD: -15.46%
• 6M: -15.99%
• 1Y: -14.67%
• 3Y*: 1.28%
• 5Y*: -10.70%
• 10Y*: —

VB

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 6M: 12.69%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 17.24%
• 5Y*: 6.99%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

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

AWAY vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	-15.46%	-3.36%	10.44%	17.94%	-32.25%	-5.91%	3.47%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.80%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	16.55%

Correlation

The correlation between AWAY and VB is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2020	0.73

The correlation between AWAY and VB shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AWAY vs. VB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AWAY	VB
Consumer Cyclical	64.2%	10.9%
Technology	29.0%	19.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.0%
Industrials	1.2%	20.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	12.3%
Basic Materials	-	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.1%
Energy	-	4.2%
Healthcare	-	11.3%
Real Estate	-	7.5%
Utilities	-	3.1%

Return for Risk

AWAY vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWAY

AWAY Risk / Return Rank: 4
AWAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
AWAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 56
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

AWAY vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	AWAY	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.66	1.69	-2.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.81	2.43	-3.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.29	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.45	3.14	-3.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.85	11.50	-12.35

AWAY vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWAY Sharpe Ratio is -0.66, which is lower than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWAY and VB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AWAY vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWAY drawdown since its inception was -56.57%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWAY and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWAY	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.57%	-59.56%	+2.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.83%	-8.98%	-23.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.83%	-25.36%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.49%	-28.15%	-23.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-49.00%	-1.15%	-47.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.32%	-8.42%	-27.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.21%	2.44%	+14.77%

Volatility

AWAY vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) has a higher volatility of 7.03% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.99%. This indicates that AWAY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWAY	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.03%	4.99%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.51%	12.24%	+6.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.44%	16.65%	+5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.89%	20.79%	+6.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.74%	21.42%	+10.32%

AWAY vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWAY has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWAY vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

AWAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWAY and VB in my portfolio?

AWAY and VB have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWAY or VB?

AWAY has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to VB (4.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWAY dropped -56.57% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which ETF is better, AWAY or VB?

On 5-year performance, VB leads with 6.99% vs -10.70% for AWAY. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VB has been the lower-risk option at 4.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AWAY or VB?

Over the 5-year period, VB has performed better with a 6.99% return vs -10.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AWAY or VB?

VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AWAY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AWAY or VB?

VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.00% for AWAY.

What is the main difference between AWAY and VB?

AWAY is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. AWAY tracks Prime Travel Technology Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AWAY and 0.05% for VB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.66), 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.