BRK-B vs. VIGAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.22%/yr vs 17.87%/yr for VIGAX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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 VIGAX's 4.85% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has underperformed VIGAX with an annualized return of 13.22%, while VIGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.87% 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%

VIGAX

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: -3.75%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 5.52%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 23.61%
• 5Y*: 13.73%
• 10Y*: 17.87%

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

BRK-B vs. VIGAX - 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%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.85%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VIGAX 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	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.45

The correlation between BRK-B and VIGAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VIGAX — 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

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 27
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.29	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	1.78	-1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.23	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	1.29	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	4.48	-4.53

BRK-B vs. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VIGAX, 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. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than VIGAX's maximum drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-50.66%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-16.51%	+7.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-23.04%	+8.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-35.63%	+9.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-35.63%	+6.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.36%	-5.66%	-3.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-11.95%	+0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	4.75%	-0.22%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.95%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 5.91%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	5.91%	-1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.78%	13.06%	-2.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.55%	-2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	22.44%	-5.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	21.63%	-2.19%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VIGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

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%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.38%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VIGAX 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 VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 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.