BRK-B vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.22%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for VEA. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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 VEA's 14.73% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 13.22%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.72% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -0.22%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

VEA

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 14.73%
• 6M: 16.65%
• 1Y: 29.82%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

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

BRK-B vs. VEA - 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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.73%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VEA is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VEA has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VEA — 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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 62
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.81	-1.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	2.50	-2.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.33	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.58	-2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	9.92	-9.97

BRK-B vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VEA, 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. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-60.68%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-11.63%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-13.45%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-29.71%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-35.73%	+6.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.36%	-1.06%	-8.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-13.28%	+2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	3.02%	+1.51%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.95%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.84%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	6.84%	-2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.78%	14.38%	-3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.58%	-2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	16.72%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	17.40%	+2.04%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%.

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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VEA have a correlation of 0.13, 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 VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 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.