VB vs. PRF
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and PRF (Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while PRF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental Select US 1000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VB returned 10.93%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for PRF. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for PRF.
Performance
VB vs. PRF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 14.83% return, which is significantly lower than PRF's 16.31% return. Over the past 10 years, VB has underperformed PRF with an annualized return of 10.93%, while PRF has yielded a comparatively higher 13.42% annualized return.
VB
- 1D
- -0.68%
- 1M
- -0.48%
- 6M
- 7.51%
- YTD
- 14.83%
- 1Y
- 22.58%
- 3Y*
- 14.33%
- 5Y*
- 7.48%
- 10Y*
- 10.93%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.88%
PRF
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 0.92%
- 6M
- 12.42%
- YTD
- 16.31%
- 1Y
- 28.99%
- 3Y*
- 19.36%
- 5Y*
- 13.16%
- 10Y*
- 13.42%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.61%
VB vs. PRF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 14.83% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF | 16.31% | 18.33% | 16.73% | 15.72% | -7.79% | 31.12% | 7.78% | 27.42% | -8.71% | 16.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and PRF is 0.88, 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 | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2005 | 0.91 |
The correlation between VB and PRF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
VB vs. PRF - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VB
PRF
Industrials
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Basic Materials
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Communication Services
Industrials
VB
PRF
Technology
VB
PRF
Healthcare
VB
PRF
Financial Services
VB
PRF
Consumer Cyclical
VB
PRF
Real Estate
VB
PRF
Basic Materials
VB
PRF
Energy
VB
PRF
Consumer Defensive
VB
PRF
Utilities
VB
PRF
Communication Services
VB
PRF
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Return for Risk
VB vs. PRF — Risk / Return Rank
VB
PRF
VB vs. PRF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF). 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 | PRF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.50 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 4.42 | -1.89 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.17 | 18.03 | -8.87 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. PRF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, roughly equal to the maximum PRF drawdown of -60.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and PRF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | PRF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -60.35% | +0.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -6.59% | -2.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -15.82% | -9.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -19.72% | -8.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | -38.16% | -3.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.94% | -0.91% | -2.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.40% | -6.89% | -1.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.47% | 1.61% | +0.86% |
Volatility
VB vs. PRF - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 3.21% compared to Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF) at 1.79%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | PRF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.21% | 1.79% | +1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.07% | 8.10% | +3.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.49% | 10.81% | +5.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.70% | 15.11% | +5.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.37% | 17.59% | +3.78% |
VB vs. PRF - Expense Ratio Comparison
VB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PRF's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
VB vs. PRF - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, less than PRF's 1.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRF Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF | 1.37% | 1.59% | 1.78% | 1.84% | 2.01% | 1.58% | 1.97% | 1.99% | 2.25% | 1.58% | 2.17% | 2.25% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.23% | 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 PRF have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to PRF (1.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs PRF's -60.35%.
On 10-year performance, PRF leads with 13.42% vs 10.93% for VB. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, PRF has been the lower-risk option at 1.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, PRF has performed better with a 13.42% return vs 10.93%. 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 0.34% for PRF.
PRF has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.23% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while PRF is Large Cap Value Equities. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while PRF tracks RAFI Fundamental Select US 1000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VB and 0.34% for PRF.
PRF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.38), 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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