BRK-B vs. VOOG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.14%/yr vs 17.80%/yr for VOOG. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VOOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG). 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 VOOG's 10.10% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has underperformed VOOG with an annualized return of 13.14%, while VOOG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.80% annualized return.

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%

VOOG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 9.55%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 26.66%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

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

BRK-B vs. VOOG - 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%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.10%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	27.19%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VOOG is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.56

The correlation between BRK-B and VOOG shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.56 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VOOG — 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

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 55
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. VOOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG). 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	VOOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	1.79	-1.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	2.41	-2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	2.13	-2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	8.74	-9.03
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. VOOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the VOOG Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VOOG, 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	VOOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	1.79	-1.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.72	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.86	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.89	-0.41

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. VOOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than VOOG's maximum drawdown of -32.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VOOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VOOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-32.73%	-21.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-13.71%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-22.18%	+7.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-32.73%	+6.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-32.73%	+3.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-4.28%	-5.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-4.97%	-6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	3.33%	+1.16%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VOOG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.98%, while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has a volatility of 5.61%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VOOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	5.61%	-1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	13.04%	-2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.31%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	21.25%	-4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	20.77%	-1.33%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VOOG - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

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%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.45%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VOOG have a correlation of -0.04, 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 VOOG?

VOOG has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to BRK-B (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VOOG's -32.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 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.