BRK-B vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.22%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for VWO. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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 VWO's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 13.22%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.00% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -0.22%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

VWO

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.65%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 24.61%
• 3Y*: 16.61%
• 5Y*: 5.03%
• 10Y*: 9.00%

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

BRK-B vs. VWO - 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%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	10.77%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VWO is -0.01, 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	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.43

The correlation between BRK-B and VWO shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VWO — 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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 50
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.49	-1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	2.10	-2.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.28	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.21	-2.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	7.80	-7.85

BRK-B vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VWO, 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. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-67.68%	+13.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-11.17%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-17.37%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-32.60%	+6.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-36.39%	+6.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.36%	-2.68%	-6.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-15.80%	+4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	3.17%	+1.36%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 3.95%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.64%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	6.64%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.78%	14.04%	-3.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	16.54%	-2.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	17.48%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	19.22%	+0.22%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%.

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%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.44%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VWO have a correlation of -0.01, 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 VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 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.