BRK-B vs. SPYG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.22%/yr vs 17.91%/yr for SPYG. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -2.67% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 9.70% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has underperformed SPYG with an annualized return of 13.22%, while SPYG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.91% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: 0.35%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

SPYG

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 29.17%
• 3Y*: 25.85%
• 5Y*: 14.92%
• 10Y*: 17.91%

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

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.67%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	9.70%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and SPYG is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2000	0.46

The correlation between BRK-B and SPYG shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.47 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	BRK-B	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.65	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	2.26	-2.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.29	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.01	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	8.08	-8.13

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and SPYG, 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

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-67.63%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-13.76%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-22.14%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-32.67%	+6.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-32.67%	+3.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.36%	-4.65%	-4.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-24.30%	+13.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	3.42%	+1.11%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.95%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 6.33%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	6.33%	-2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.78%	13.48%	-2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.81%	-2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	21.27%	-4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	20.70%	-1.26%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.48%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and SPYG have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs -0.02), 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.