VBK vs. BITI
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and BITI (ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while BITI is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the Bloomberg Bitcoin Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VBK returned 14.08%/yr vs -31.62%/yr for BITI. At a correlation of -0.44, they often move in opposite directions. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for BITI.
Performance
VBK vs. BITI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 14.83% return, which is significantly lower than BITI's 24.48% return.
VBK
- 1D
- -1.22%
- 1M
- -1.63%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- YTD
- 14.83%
- 1Y
- 24.26%
- 3Y*
- 14.08%
- 5Y*
- 5.24%
- 10Y*
- 11.11%
BITI
- 1D
- 1.13%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- 6M
- 35.86%
- YTD
- 24.48%
- 1Y
- 64.61%
- 3Y*
- -31.62%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VBK vs. BITI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 14.83% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | 5.29% |
BITI ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF | 24.48% | -1.76% | -62.60% | -66.17% | 3.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBK and BITI is -0.51, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.42 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2022 | -0.44 |
The correlation between VBK and BITI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.51 to -0.42 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBK vs. BITI — Risk / Return Rank
VBK
BITI
VBK vs. BITI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF (BITI). 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.
| VBK | BITI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.25 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.13 | 2.57 | -0.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.78 | 6.38 | +1.40 |
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Drawdowns
VBK vs. BITI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, smaller than the maximum BITI drawdown of -92.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and BITI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBK | BITI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.68% | -92.16% | +33.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.44% | -25.28% | +13.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.54% | -84.63% | +57.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.39% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.34% | -86.41% | +81.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.11% | -68.40% | +58.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.13% | 10.16% | -7.03% |
Volatility
VBK vs. BITI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is 5.14%, while ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF (BITI) has a volatility of 10.76%. This indicates that VBK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BITI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBK | BITI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.14% | 10.76% | -5.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.69% | 34.28% | -18.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.19% | 44.15% | -23.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.66% | 52.24% | -28.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.88% | 52.24% | -29.36% |
VBK vs. BITI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BITI's 1.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
VBK vs. BITI - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than BITI's 15.62% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BITI ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF | 15.62% | 1.60% | 3.91% | 3.33% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.44% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBK and BITI have a correlation of -0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BITI has higher volatility (10.76%) compared to VBK (5.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs BITI's -92.16%.
On 3-year performance, VBK leads with 14.08% vs -31.62% for BITI. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBK has been the lower-risk option at 5.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VBK has performed better with a 14.08% return vs -31.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for BITI.
BITI has the higher dividend yield at 15.62%, compared with 0.44% for VBK.
VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while BITI is Cryptocurrency. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while BITI tracks Bloomberg Bitcoin Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBK and 1.03% for BITI.
BITI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.21), 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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