VBK vs. DIVB
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and DIVB (iShares Core Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while DIVB is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VBK returned 4.87%/yr vs 12.24%/yr for DIVB. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
VBK vs. DIVB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 16.25% return, which is significantly lower than DIVB's 17.67% return.
VBK
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 3.93%
- YTD
- 16.25%
- 6M
- 14.67%
- 1Y
- 31.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.87%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
DIVB
- 1D
- 1.11%
- 1M
- 6.33%
- YTD
- 17.67%
- 6M
- 16.46%
- 1Y
- 29.56%
- 3Y*
- 21.12%
- 5Y*
- 12.24%
- 10Y*
- —
VBK vs. DIVB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 16.25% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 3.19% |
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 VBK and DIVB is 0.67, 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 | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.75 |
The correlation between VBK and DIVB shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBK vs. DIVB — Risk / Return Rank
VBK
DIVB
VBK vs. DIVB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) 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.
| VBK | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.43 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.62 | 4.16 | -1.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.82 | 14.00 | -4.18 |
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Drawdowns
VBK vs. DIVB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than DIVB's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and DIVB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBK | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.68% | -36.93% | -21.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.44% | -6.82% | -4.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.54% | -15.45% | -12.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.39% | -21.08% | -17.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.04% | -0.66% | -1.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.14% | -4.98% | -5.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 2.03% | +1.02% |
Volatility
VBK vs. DIVB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 7.31% compared to iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) at 4.48%. This indicates that VBK'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
| VBK | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.31% | 4.48% | +2.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.61% | 8.81% | +6.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.96% | 11.69% | +8.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.59% | 15.29% | +8.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.92% | 18.38% | +4.54% |
VBK vs. DIVB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VBK 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
VBK vs. DIVB - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, 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% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.45% | 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 DIVB have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBK has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to DIVB (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs DIVB's -36.93%.
On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 12.24% vs 4.87% for VBK. 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 4.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VBK and DIVB have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.
DIVB has the higher dividend yield at 2.18%, compared with 0.45% for VBK.
VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while DIVB is Dividend. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth 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 1.50), 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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