USRT vs. VB
USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USRT returned 6.67%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for VB. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USRT charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.
Performance
USRT vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USRT achieves a 17.79% return, which is significantly higher than VB's 15.33% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 6.67%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.61% annualized return.
USRT
- 1D
- 0.94%
- 1M
- 5.04%
- YTD
- 17.79%
- 6M
- 17.95%
- 1Y
- 20.35%
- 3Y*
- 12.69%
- 5Y*
- 5.06%
- 10Y*
- 6.67%
VB
- 1D
- 0.70%
- 1M
- 5.17%
- YTD
- 15.33%
- 6M
- 13.69%
- 1Y
- 30.83%
- 3Y*
- 16.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.98%
- 10Y*
- 11.61%
USRT vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 17.79% | 2.44% | 8.58% | 13.64% | -24.43% | 43.26% | -8.06% | 25.98% | -4.67% | 5.27% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 15.33% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between USRT and VB is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2007 | 0.65 |
The correlation between USRT and VB shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
USRT vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
USRT
VB
USRT vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.
| USRT | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.30 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 3.21 | -0.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.79 | 11.80 | -4.01 |
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Drawdowns
USRT vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.92%, which is greater than VB's maximum drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USRT | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.92% | -59.56% | -10.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.04% | -8.98% | +0.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.70% | -25.36% | +6.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.03% | -28.15% | -2.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.38% | -42.05% | -2.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.96% | -8.43% | -4.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.49% | 2.44% | +0.05% |
Volatility
USRT vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) is 4.71%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that USRT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USRT | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.71% | 5.41% | -0.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.64% | 12.24% | -2.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.57% | 16.68% | -3.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.92% | 20.80% | -1.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.30% | 21.44% | -0.14% |
USRT vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
USRT has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VB'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
USRT vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, more than VB's 1.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 2.56% | 3.07% | 2.85% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.27% | 3.12% | 3.34% | 5.66% | 3.44% | 3.98% | 3.59% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.18% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USRT and VB have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to USRT (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.92% vs VB's -59.56%.
On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.61% vs 6.67% for USRT. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, USRT has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VB has performed better with a 11.61% return vs 6.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for USRT.
USRT has the higher dividend yield at 2.56%, compared with 1.18% for VB.
USRT is categorized as REIT, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. USRT tracks FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USRT and 0.05% for VB.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.43), 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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