CPER vs. VBK
CPER (United States Copper Index Fund) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CPER is a Copper fund tracking the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CPER returned 11.25%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for VBK. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CPER charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.
Performance
CPER vs. VBK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CPER achieves a 13.42% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 18.24% return. Over the past 10 years, CPER has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 11.25%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.
CPER
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- 3.96%
- YTD
- 13.42%
- 6M
- 19.61%
- 1Y
- 33.19%
- 3Y*
- 18.43%
- 5Y*
- 8.39%
- 10Y*
- 11.25%
VBK
- 1D
- 1.71%
- 1M
- 5.71%
- YTD
- 18.24%
- 6M
- 17.85%
- 1Y
- 34.10%
- 3Y*
- 16.97%
- 5Y*
- 5.40%
- 10Y*
- 12.03%
CPER vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPER United States Copper Index Fund | 13.42% | 38.95% | 4.23% | 4.55% | -15.14% | 25.21% | 23.90% | 6.66% | -21.91% | 28.80% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 18.24% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between CPER and VBK is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2011 | 0.31 |
The correlation between CPER and VBK shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
CPER vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank
CPER
VBK
CPER vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) 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.
| CPER | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.29 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 2.99 | -1.65 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.78 | 11.23 | -8.45 |
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Drawdowns
CPER vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CPER drawdown since its inception was -54.04%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPER and VBK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CPER | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.04% | -58.68% | +4.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.77% | -11.44% | -13.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.77% | -27.54% | +2.77% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.75% | -38.39% | +3.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.42% | -38.70% | +0.28% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.34% | -0.36% | -1.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -25.35% | -10.14% | -15.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.95% | 3.04% | +8.91% |
Volatility
CPER vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison
United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) has a higher volatility of 10.05% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) at 7.47%. This indicates that CPER'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
| CPER | VBK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.05% | 7.47% | +2.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.31% | 15.66% | +7.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 34.88% | 19.99% | +14.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.03% | 23.60% | +3.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.09% | 22.93% | +1.16% |
CPER vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison
CPER has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
CPER vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison
CPER has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPER United States Copper Index Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
CPER and VBK have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CPER has higher volatility (10.05%) compared to VBK (7.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPER dropped -54.04% vs VBK's -58.68%.
On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 12.03% vs 11.25% for CPER. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBK has been the lower-risk option at 7.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 12.03% return vs 11.25%. 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 1.06% for CPER.
VBK has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for CPER.
CPER is categorized as Copper, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. CPER tracks SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return, while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: USCF and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for CPER and 0.05% for VBK.
VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.96), 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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