VB vs. USRT
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VB returned 11.61%/yr vs 6.67%/yr for USRT. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for USRT.
Performance
VB vs. USRT - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 15.33% return, which is significantly lower than USRT's 17.79% return. Over the past 10 years, VB has outperformed USRT with an annualized return of 11.61%, while USRT has yielded a comparatively lower 6.67% annualized 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%
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 vs. USRT - 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% | 16.26% |
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% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and USRT 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 VB and USRT shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VB vs. USRT — Risk / Return Rank
VB
USRT
VB vs. USRT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT). 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 | USRT | 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 | 1.30 | 1.25 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.21 | 2.42 | +0.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.80 | 7.79 | +4.01 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VB vs. USRT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, smaller than the maximum USRT drawdown of -69.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and USRT.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VB | USRT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -69.92% | +10.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -8.04% | -0.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -18.70% | -6.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -31.03% | +2.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | -44.38% | +2.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -12.96% | +4.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 2.49% | -0.05% |
Volatility
VB vs. USRT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 5.41% compared to iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) at 4.71%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USRT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VB | USRT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.41% | 4.71% | +0.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.24% | 9.64% | +2.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.68% | 13.57% | +3.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 18.92% | +1.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.44% | 21.30% | +0.14% |
VB vs. USRT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than USRT's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VB vs. USRT - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than USRT's 2.56% 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
VB and USRT 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, VB dropped -59.56% vs USRT's -69.92%.
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.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while USRT is REIT. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while USRT tracks FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VB and 0.08% for USRT.
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.
Find the right allocation for VB and USRT
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer