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BRK-B vs. URTH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BRK-B vs. URTH

Last updated Apr 4, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH).

URTH is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI World Index. It was launched on Jan 10, 2012.

Performance

BRK-B vs. URTH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -5.03% return, which is significantly lower than URTH's -2.18% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BRK-B having a 12.79% annualized return and URTH not far behind at 12.20%.

BRK-B

1D
-0.24%
1M
-4.61%
YTD
-5.03%
6M
-4.29%
1Y
-3.28%
3Y*
15.44%
5Y*
13.08%
10Y*
12.79%

URTH

1D
-0.05%
1M
-2.87%
YTD
-2.18%
6M
0.10%
1Y
32.57%
3Y*
17.29%
5Y*
10.45%
10Y*
12.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BRK-B vs. URTH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BRK-B
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.		-5.03%10.89%27.09%15.46%3.31%28.95%2.37%10.93%3.01%21.62%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		-2.18%21.36%18.66%23.95%-17.97%22.27%15.78%28.15%-8.56%22.95%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and URTH is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined. Holding both can reduce overall portfolio volatility compared to holding either one alone.

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Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

iShares MSCI World ETF

Often compared with BRK-B:
BRK-B vs. SPYBRK-B vs. VOOBRK-B vs. BRK-ABRK-B vs. QQQBRK-B vs. ^NDXBRK-B vs. VTIBRK-B vs. VGT
Often compared with URTH:
URTH vs. VTURTH vs. IWDA.LURTH vs. SPYURTH vs. VOOURTH vs. XWD.TOURTH vs. MWRD.LURTH vs. VXUS

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. URTH — 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: 1515
Overall Rank
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1414
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
URTH
URTH Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
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. URTH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH). 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.

BRK-BURTHDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

-0.62

1.12

-1.74

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

-0.73

1.68

-2.41

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

0.90

1.25

-0.35

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

-0.70

1.70

-2.40

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

-1.19

8.10

-9.30

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRK-B vs. URTH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is lower than the URTH Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and URTH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

BRK-BURTHDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.62

1.12

-1.74

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.76

0.65

+0.11

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.66

0.71

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.48

0.68

-0.20

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. URTH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than URTH's maximum drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and URTH.

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Drawdown Indicators

BRK-BURTHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-53.86%

-34.01%

-19.85%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.95%

-9.06%

-5.89%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.58%

-26.05%

-0.53%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-29.57%

-34.01%

+4.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.57%

-5.54%

-6.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.07%

-4.42%

-6.65%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.75%

2.49%

+6.26%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. URTH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 4.12%, while iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than URTH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BRK-BURTHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.12%

5.59%

-1.47%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.11%

9.52%

+1.59%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.30%

17.36%

+0.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.20%

16.16%

+1.04%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.44%

17.27%

+2.17%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. URTH - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
URTH
iShares MSCI World ETF		1.52%1.48%1.47%1.70%1.68%1.50%1.52%2.16%2.30%1.88%2.15%2.35%