BRK-B vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) is Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.19%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for VXUS. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -2.89% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 10.17% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 13.19%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.19% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: -2.89%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 13.55%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

VXUS

• 1D: -3.73%
• 1M: -3.02%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

BRK-B vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.89%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	10.17%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and VXUS is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and VXUS has dropped to 0.09 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. VXUS — 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: 38
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 50
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	1.69	-1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.09	2.31	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.31	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	2.34	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.03	9.11	-9.14
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. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and VXUS, 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	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01	1.69	-1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.48	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.54	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.37	+0.11

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-35.97%	-17.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-11.27%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-13.58%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-29.44%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-35.97%	+6.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.57%	-4.52%	-5.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-8.21%	-2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	2.89%	+1.58%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) is 4.08%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that BRK-B experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	6.16%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	13.58%	-2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.39%	15.67%	-1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	16.12%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.43%	17.19%	+2.24%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%.

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%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.75%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

BRK-B and VXUS have a correlation of 0.09, 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 VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to BRK-B (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.01), 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.