VB vs. DIVB
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and DIVB (iShares Core Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while DIVB is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VB returned 6.98%/yr vs 12.24%/yr for DIVB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
VB vs. DIVB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 15.33% return, which is significantly lower than DIVB's 17.67% return.
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%
DIVB
- 1D
- 1.11%
- 1M
- 6.33%
- YTD
- 17.67%
- 6M
- 16.46%
- 1Y
- 29.56%
- 3Y*
- 21.12%
- 5Y*
- 12.24%
- 10Y*
- —
VB vs. DIVB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 15.33% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 3.83% |
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 17.67% | 15.09% | 18.59% | 13.27% | -10.51% | 31.29% | 10.78% | 32.72% | -8.16% | 5.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and DIVB is 0.80, 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 | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.84 |
The correlation between VB and DIVB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VB vs. DIVB — Risk / Return Rank
VB
DIVB
VB vs. DIVB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB). 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.
| VB | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.43 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.21 | 4.16 | -0.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.80 | 14.00 | -2.20 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. DIVB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than DIVB's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and DIVB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -36.93% | -22.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -6.82% | -2.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -15.45% | -9.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -21.08% | -7.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.66% | +0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -4.98% | -3.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 2.03% | +0.41% |
Volatility
VB vs. DIVB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 5.41% compared to iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) at 4.48%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIVB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.41% | 4.48% | +0.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.24% | 8.81% | +3.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.68% | 11.69% | +4.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 15.29% | +5.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.44% | 18.38% | +3.06% |
VB vs. DIVB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VB and DIVB have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VB vs. DIVB - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than DIVB's 2.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 2.18% | 2.50% | 2.61% | 3.18% | 2.02% | 1.63% | 2.08% | 2.07% | 2.52% | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
VB and DIVB have a correlation of 0.80, 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 DIVB (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs DIVB's -36.93%.
On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 12.24% vs 6.98% for VB. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, DIVB has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DIVB has performed better with a 12.24% return vs 6.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB and DIVB have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.
DIVB has the higher dividend yield at 2.18%, compared with 1.18% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while DIVB is Dividend. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while DIVB tracks Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.
DIVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.73), 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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