SLYG vs. VBR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLYG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth 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, SLYG returned 11.12%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for VBR. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

SLYG vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLYG achieves a 25.05% return, which is significantly higher than VBR's 18.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SLYG having a 11.12% annualized return and VBR not far behind at 10.67%.

SLYG

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: 17.84%
• YTD: 25.05%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 15.11%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 11.12%
• ALL TIME*: 7.51%

VBR

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 11.26%
• YTD: 18.17%
• 1Y: 29.28%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 10.29%
• 10Y*: 10.67%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

*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)
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	$11.04M	$11.74M	$13.56M
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	$57.38M	$55.84M	$67.82M

SLYG vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	25.05%	5.20%	9.38%	17.27%	-21.26%	22.42%	19.48%	20.97%	-4.20%	14.62%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	18.17%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between SLYG and VBR is 0.89, 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.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.92

The correlation between SLYG and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SLYG vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SLYG	VBR
Industrials	19.0%	17.3%
Technology	17.7%	10.9%
Healthcare	17.2%	8.4%
Financial Services	13.9%	17.5%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	13.6%
Real Estate	6.8%	11.1%
Energy	3.8%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	4.2%
Basic Materials	3.1%	5.3%
Communication Services	2.7%	2.4%
Utilities	1.6%	4.9%

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLYG

SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 85
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 84
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SLYG vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) 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.

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.

	SLYG	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.98	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.91	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.35	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.32	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.09	12.14	+0.95

SLYG vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG 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.

Drawdowns

SLYG vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.92%, roughly equal to the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLYG	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.92%	-61.98%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-8.85%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.39%	-24.19%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.18%	-24.19%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.86%	-45.28%	+3.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.52%	-0.15%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.83%	-8.21%	-6.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	2.42%	+0.25%

Volatility

SLYG vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) has a higher volatility of 4.44% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) at 3.58%. This indicates that SLYG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLYG	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	3.58%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.96%	10.28%	+2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.81%	14.86%	+2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	19.57%	+1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.73%	21.67%	+1.06%

SLYG vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% 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

SLYG vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than VBR's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLYG SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF	0.65%	0.86%	1.22%	1.18%	1.18%	0.68%	0.71%	1.08%	1.06%	4.74%	1.13%	5.75%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.74%	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 SLYG and VBR in my portfolio?

SLYG and VBR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLYG or VBR?

SLYG has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to VBR (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.92% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which ETF is better, SLYG or VBR?

On 10-year performance, SLYG leads with 11.12% vs 10.67% for VBR. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBR has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLYG or VBR?

Over the 10-year period, SLYG has performed better with a 11.12% return vs 10.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLYG or VBR?

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for SLYG.

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

VBR has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.65% for SLYG.

What is the main difference between SLYG and VBR?

SLYG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. SLYG tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SLYG and 0.05% for VBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.97), 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.