BRK-B vs. VTIVX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VTIVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund) is Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.14%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for VTIVX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VTIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX). 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 VTIVX's 7.80% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VTIVX with an annualized return of 13.14%, while VTIVX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.91% 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%

VTIVX

• 1D: -2.58%
• 1M: -0.77%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 17.21%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

BRK-B vs. VTIVX - 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%
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	7.80%	20.01%	13.68%	19.72%	-17.38%	16.16%	16.31%	24.94%	-7.89%	19.16%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VTIVX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2003	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VTIVX has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VTIVX — 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

VTIVX

VTIVX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VTIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VTIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VTIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VTIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VTIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. VTIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX). 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	VTIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	2.06	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	2.83	-2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.38	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	2.69	-2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	11.85	-12.15
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. VTIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the VTIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VTIVX, 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	VTIVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	2.06	-2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.65	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.74	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.54	-0.06

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. VTIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, roughly equal to the maximum VTIVX drawdown of -51.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VTIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VTIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-51.69%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-8.30%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-13.40%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-25.10%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-31.42%	+1.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-2.95%	-6.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-6.33%	-4.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.88%	+2.61%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VTIVX - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX) have volatilities of 3.98% and 3.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VTIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.88%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	8.81%	+2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	10.85%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	13.54%	+3.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	14.81%	+4.63%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VTIVX - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%.

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%
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	2.31%	2.50%	2.36%	2.27%	2.75%	15.40%	1.90%	2.23%	2.52%	0.04%	2.47%	3.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VTIVX have a correlation of 0.10, 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 VTIVX?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to VTIVX (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VTIVX's -51.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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.