IVOO vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IVOO (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard - IVOO tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index while VBK tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVOO returned 11.22%/yr vs 11.86%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IVOO charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBK.

Performance

IVOO vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF (IVOO) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVOO achieves a 14.15% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 18.67% return. Over the past 10 years, IVOO has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 11.22%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.86% annualized return.

IVOO

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 3.31%
• YTD: 14.15%
• 6M: 15.23%
• 1Y: 27.06%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

VBK

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 6.15%
• YTD: 18.67%
• 6M: 19.38%
• 1Y: 36.00%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 6.14%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

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

IVOO vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVOO Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF	14.15%	7.47%	13.77%	16.45%	-13.17%	24.61%	13.61%	26.18%	-11.33%	16.38%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	18.67%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IVOO and VBK is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.91

The correlation between IVOO and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVOO vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVOO	VBK
Industrials	25.1%	24.7%
Technology	15.7%	25.9%
Financial Services	14.4%	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	9.6%
Healthcare	8.6%	15.3%
Real Estate	7.5%	3.9%
Energy	5.5%	4.8%
Basic Materials	4.8%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	2.4%
Utilities	3.1%	1.2%
Communication Services	1.0%	3.5%

Return for Risk

IVOO vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVOO

IVOO Risk / Return Rank: 54
IVOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IVOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
IVOO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
IVOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IVOO Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

IVOO vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF (IVOO) 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.

	IVOO	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.89	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.58	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.31	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.19	-0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.19	12.19	-0.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVOO vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVOO and VBK, 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

	IVOO	VBK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	1.89	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.26	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.52	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.43	+0.19

Drawdowns

IVOO vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVOO drawdown since its inception was -42.33%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVOO and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVOO	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.33%	-58.68%	+16.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.81%	-11.44%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.22%	-27.54%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.22%	-38.39%	+14.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-38.70%	-3.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.27%	-10.16%	+4.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	2.99%	-0.58%

Volatility

IVOO vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF (IVOO) is 4.46%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 5.20%. This indicates that IVOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVOO	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.46%	5.20%	-0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.38%	14.62%	-3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	19.17%	-3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.73%	23.48%	-3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.20%	22.86%	-1.66%

IVOO vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVOO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IVOO vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

IVOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, more than VBK's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVOO Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF	1.19%	1.35%	1.30%	1.25%	1.58%	1.14%	1.23%	1.49%	1.56%	1.22%	1.37%	1.45%
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

Can I hold both IVOO and VBK in my portfolio?

IVOO and VBK have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVOO or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to IVOO (4.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVOO dropped -42.33% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, IVOO or VBK?

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.86% vs 11.22% for IVOO. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IVOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVOO or VBK?

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.86% return vs 11.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVOO or VBK?

VBK is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for IVOO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVOO or VBK?

IVOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.44% for VBK.

What is the main difference between IVOO and VBK?

IVOO tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IVOO and 0.07% for VBK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.75), 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.