BRK-B vs. VOT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) is Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.14%/yr vs 11.95%/yr for VOT. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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 VOT's 5.49% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VOT with an annualized return of 13.14%, while VOT has yielded a comparatively lower 11.95% 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%

VOT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

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

BRK-B vs. VOT - 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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	5.49%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VOT is 0.08, 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	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2006	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VOT has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VOT — 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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	0.48	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	0.77	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.09	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	0.49	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	1.46	-1.75
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. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VOT, 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	0.48	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.29	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.57	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.44	+0.04

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum VOT drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-60.16%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-15.96%	+6.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-21.77%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-37.19%	+10.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-37.19%	+7.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-3.48%	-6.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-9.96%	-1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	5.33%	-0.84%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.98%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) has a volatility of 5.45%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	5.45%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	12.85%	-1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.20%	-1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	21.41%	-4.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	21.02%	-1.58%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VOT - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%.

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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.63%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VOT have a correlation of 0.08, 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 VOT?

VOT has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to BRK-B (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.48 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.