BRK-B vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.14%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for VIG. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -3.11% return, which is significantly lower than VIG's 6.58% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BRK-B having a 13.14% annualized return and VIG not far behind at 13.05%.

BRK-B

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: -3.11%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -1.32%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

VIG

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 6.58%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 18.31%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: 13.05%

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

BRK-B vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-3.11%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	6.58%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VIG is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2006	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VIG has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VIG — 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: 35
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 58
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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-B	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	1.82	-1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	2.65	-2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.33	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	2.33	-2.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	9.37	-9.67
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. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VIG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRK-B	VIG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	1.82	-1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.75	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.82	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.60	-0.11

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than VIG's maximum drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-46.81%	-7.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-7.91%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-14.95%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-20.39%	-6.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-31.72%	+2.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-1.34%	-8.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-5.51%	-5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.96%	+2.53%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.42%. This indicates that BRK-B's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	2.42%	+1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	7.68%	+3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	10.10%	+4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	14.24%	+2.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	16.06%	+3.38%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%.

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%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.48%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VIG have a correlation of 0.32, 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 VIG?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to VIG (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -0.09), 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.