CBSE vs. VBK
CBSE (Clough Select Equity ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CBSE is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Clough, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. CBSE is actively managed, while VBK is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CBSE returned 12.84%/yr vs 5.09%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CBSE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.
Performance
CBSE vs. VBK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CBSE achieves a 31.82% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 18.61% return.
CBSE
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 5.04%
- YTD
- 31.82%
- 6M
- 29.38%
- 1Y
- 46.42%
- 3Y*
- 32.02%
- 5Y*
- 12.84%
- 10Y*
- —
VBK
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 3.11%
- YTD
- 18.61%
- 6M
- 15.14%
- 1Y
- 33.39%
- 3Y*
- 18.20%
- 5Y*
- 5.09%
- 10Y*
- 12.20%
CBSE vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBSE Clough Select Equity ETF | 31.82% | 19.53% | 32.20% | 17.29% | -19.92% | 14.57% | 17.27% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 18.61% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 13.98% |
Correlation
The correlation between CBSE and VBK is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2020 | 0.88 |
The correlation between CBSE and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
CBSE vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank
CBSE
VBK
CBSE vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Clough Select Equity ETF (CBSE) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.
| CBSE | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.28 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.44 | 2.93 | +0.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.01 | 10.98 | -0.97 |
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Drawdowns
CBSE vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CBSE drawdown since its inception was -36.30%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBSE and VBK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CBSE | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.30% | -58.68% | +22.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.57% | -11.44% | -2.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.40% | -27.54% | -1.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.30% | -38.39% | +2.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -38.70% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.20% | -0.05% | -1.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.24% | -10.14% | -2.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.65% | 3.05% | +1.60% |
Volatility
CBSE vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison
Clough Select Equity ETF (CBSE) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) at 6.94%. This indicates that CBSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CBSE | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.01% | 6.94% | +5.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.07% | 15.58% | +4.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.77% | 20.07% | +4.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.47% | 23.62% | +0.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.08% | 22.94% | +1.14% |
CBSE vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison
CBSE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
CBSE vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison
CBSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than VBK's 0.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBSE Clough Select Equity ETF | 0.26% | 0.35% | 0.37% | 1.50% | 0.52% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.44% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CBSE and VBK have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CBSE has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to VBK (6.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBSE dropped -36.30% vs VBK's -58.68%.
On 5-year performance, CBSE leads with 12.84% vs 5.09% for VBK. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBK has been the lower-risk option at 6.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, CBSE has performed better with a 12.84% return vs 5.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for CBSE.
VBK has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.26% for CBSE.
CBSE is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Clough and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for CBSE and 0.05% for VBK.
CBSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.67), 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.
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