BRK-B vs. VB

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) is Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.01%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for VB. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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, BRK-B achieves a -2.27% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.83% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VB with an annualized return of 13.01%, while VB has yielded a comparatively lower 10.93% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.37%
• 6M: -0.41%
• YTD: -2.27%
• 1Y: 3.68%
• 3Y*: 12.42%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.01%
• ALL TIME*: 10.58%

VB

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -0.48%
• 6M: 7.51%
• YTD: 14.83%
• 1Y: 22.58%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: 10.93%
• ALL TIME*: 9.88%

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

BRK-B vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.27%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.83%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VB 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	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VB has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VB — 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: 51
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 59
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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.

	BRK-B	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.25	1.38	-1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	2.04	-1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.24	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.39	2.53	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.82	9.17	-8.35

BRK-B vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is 0.25, which is lower than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B 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

BRK-B vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-59.56%	+5.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-8.98%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-25.36%	+10.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-28.15%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-42.05%	+12.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.99%	-2.94%	-6.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.06%	-8.40%	-2.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.50%	2.47%	+2.03%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a higher volatility of 4.42% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 3.21%. This indicates that BRK-B'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

	BRK-B	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	3.21%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.07%	12.07%	-1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	16.49%	-1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.09%	20.70%	-3.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.40%	21.37%	-1.97%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%.

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%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.23%	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 BRK-B and VB in my portfolio?

BRK-B and VB 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, BRK-B or VB?

BRK-B has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to VB (3.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.25), 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.