JPSE vs. VBK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

JPSE (JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - JPSE tracks the JPMorgan Diversified Factor US Small Cap Equity Index while VBK tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JPSE returned 8.74%/yr vs 4.55%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JPSE charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

JPSE vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (JPSE) 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, JPSE achieves a 20.54% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 14.98% return.

JPSE

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: 0.65%
• 6M: 12.63%
• YTD: 20.54%
• 1Y: 35.43%
• 3Y*: 14.13%
• 5Y*: 8.74%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.87%

VBK

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -3.14%
• 6M: 10.32%
• YTD: 14.98%
• 1Y: 25.41%
• 3Y*: 15.04%
• 5Y*: 4.55%
• 10Y*: 10.92%
• ALL TIME*: 9.83%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
JPSE JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	$998.97K	$1.47M	$1.84M
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	$70.46M	$72.06M	$83.50M

JPSE vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPSE JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	20.54%	8.77%	8.07%	15.87%	-14.40%	29.31%	12.49%	22.95%	-8.61%	14.38%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	14.98%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between JPSE and VBK is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2016	0.86

The correlation between JPSE and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

JPSE vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JPSE	VBK
Real Estate	14.7%	3.7%
Financial Services	11.4%	5.7%
Technology	11.1%	27.1%
Industrials	10.9%	23.4%
Healthcare	10.3%	17.9%
Basic Materials	9.3%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	8.9%
Energy	7.9%	3.4%
Utilities	4.8%	1.1%
Communication Services	2.6%	3.6%

Return for Risk

JPSE vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JPSE

JPSE Risk / Return Rank: 90
JPSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
JPSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
JPSE Omega Ratio Rank: 86
JPSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
JPSE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 54
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JPSE vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (JPSE) 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.

	JPSE	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.25	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	1.81	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.22	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.45	2.23	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.25	7.52	+8.73

JPSE vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPSE Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPSE 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.

Drawdowns

JPSE vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPSE drawdown since its inception was -43.02%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPSE and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPSE	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.02%	-58.68%	+15.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-11.44%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.49%	-27.54%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.56%	-38.39%	+12.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-5.22%	+5.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.31%	-10.10%	+2.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	3.39%	-1.20%

Volatility

JPSE vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (JPSE) is 3.25%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that JPSE 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

	JPSE	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	5.46%	-2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.86%	15.90%	-5.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	20.39%	-4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.92%	23.67%	-3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.69%	22.92%	-1.23%

JPSE vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPSE has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

JPSE vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

JPSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, more than VBK's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JPSE JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	1.32%	1.62%	1.66%	1.76%	1.55%	1.24%	1.32%	1.23%	1.18%	0.74%	0.14%	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

Can I hold both JPSE and VBK in my portfolio?

JPSE and VBK have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPSE or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to JPSE (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPSE dropped -43.02% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, JPSE or VBK?

On 5-year performance, JPSE leads with 8.74% vs 4.55% for VBK. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, JPSE has been the lower-risk option at 3.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JPSE or VBK?

Over the 5-year period, JPSE has performed better with a 8.74% return vs 4.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JPSE or VBK?

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for JPSE.

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

JPSE has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 0.44% for VBK.

What is the main difference between JPSE and VBK?

JPSE tracks JPMorgan Diversified Factor US Small Cap Equity Index, while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for JPSE and 0.05% for VBK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.25), 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.