EES vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EES returned 10.68%/yr vs 10.53%/yr for VBR. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

EES vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with EES having a 12.00% return and VBR slightly lower at 11.67%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EES having a 10.68% annualized return and VBR not far behind at 10.53%.

EES

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 6M: 11.97%
• 1Y: 29.80%
• 3Y*: 15.30%
• 5Y*: 6.23%
• 10Y*: 10.68%

VBR

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.95%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

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

EES vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	12.00%	6.99%	9.86%	18.53%	-16.18%	34.39%	3.06%	21.68%	-10.12%	12.42%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.67%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EES and VBR is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2007	0.93

The correlation between EES and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

EES vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EES	VBR
Financial Services	21.8%	17.6%
Technology	14.2%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	12.4%
Industrials	12.5%	18.1%
Healthcare	10.3%	7.9%
Energy	7.9%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	4.0%
Basic Materials	4.9%	6.3%
Real Estate	4.8%	10.1%
Communication Services	3.1%	2.5%
Utilities	1.7%	4.8%

Return for Risk

EES vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EES

EES Risk / Return Rank: 57
EES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
EES Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
EES Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EES Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
EES Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 52
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

EES vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

	EES	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.71	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.52	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.30	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	2.93	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	10.32	+0.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EES vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EES Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EES and VBR, 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

	EES	VBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	1.71	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.40	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.49	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.42	-0.08

Drawdowns

EES vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EES drawdown since its inception was -63.66%, roughly equal to the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EES and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	EES	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.66%	-61.98%	-1.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.98%	-8.85%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.15%	-24.19%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.15%	-24.19%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.52%	-45.28%	-5.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.39%	-1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-8.27%	-2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	2.50%	+0.20%

Volatility

EES vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund (EES) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) have volatilities of 4.03% and 3.96%, 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

	EES	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	3.96%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	10.46%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	15.17%	+2.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	19.77%	+1.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	21.73%	+2.07%

EES vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

EES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

EES vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

EES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than VBR's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Fund	1.12%	1.29%	1.37%	1.18%	1.12%	1.69%	1.29%	1.31%	1.81%	0.93%	1.02%	1.38%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EES and VBR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, EES and VBR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EES or VBR?

EES has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to VBR (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EES dropped -63.66% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which ETF is better, EES or VBR?

On 10-year performance, EES leads with 10.68% vs 10.53% for VBR. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EES or VBR?

Over the 10-year period, EES has performed better with a 10.68% return vs 10.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EES or VBR?

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for EES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EES or VBR?

VBR has the higher dividend yield at 1.76%, compared with 1.12% for EES.

What is the main difference between EES and VBR?

EES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. EES tracks WisdomTree U.S. Small Cap Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for EES and 0.05% for VBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.71), 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.