PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VBK vs. SLYG
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

VBK vs. SLYG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG).

VBK and SLYG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VBK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. SLYG is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index. It was launched on Sep 25, 2000. Both VBK and SLYG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VBK vs. SLYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

VBK vs. SLYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.16%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%
SLYG
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF		2.78%5.20%9.38%17.27%-21.26%22.42%19.48%20.97%-4.20%14.62%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than SLYG's 2.78% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed SLYG with an annualized return of 10.46%, while SLYG has yielded a comparatively lower 9.90% annualized return.

VBK

1D
4.37%
1M
-5.52%
YTD
0.16%
6M
1.80%
1Y
20.70%
3Y*
12.47%
5Y*
2.16%
10Y*
10.46%

SLYG

1D
3.50%
1M
-4.71%
YTD
2.78%
6M
2.78%
1Y
17.39%
3Y*
10.65%
5Y*
3.17%
10Y*
9.90%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF

Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOG
Often compared with SLYG:
SLYG vs. SLYVSLYG vs. IWOSLYG vs. VIOGSLYG vs. IJTSLYG vs. IJRSLYG vs. XSMOSLYG vs. VIOO

VBK vs. SLYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SLYG's 0.15% 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%.

SLYG
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VBK vs. SLYG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
SLYG
SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VBK vs. SLYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG). 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.

VBKSLYGDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.85

0.79

+0.06

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.34

1.26

+0.08

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.17

+0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.38

1.32

+0.06

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.52

5.47

+0.05

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBK vs. SLYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the SLYG Sharpe Ratio of 0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and SLYG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VBKSLYGDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.85

0.79

+0.06

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.09

0.15

-0.06

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.46

0.44

+0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.40

0.29

+0.11

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and SLYG is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VBK vs. SLYG - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than SLYG's 0.80% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.52%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%
SLYG
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF		0.80%0.86%1.22%1.18%1.18%0.68%0.71%1.08%1.06%4.74%1.13%5.75%

Drawdowns

VBK vs. SLYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, smaller than the maximum SLYG drawdown of -62.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and SLYG.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

VBKSLYGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.68%

-62.15%

+3.47%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.56%

-14.06%

-0.50%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.39%

-29.18%

-9.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.70%

-41.86%

+3.16%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.57%

-5.91%

-1.66%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.22%

-14.64%

+4.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.65%

3.39%

+0.26%

Volatility

VBK vs. SLYG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 8.73% compared to SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) at 7.18%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SLYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

VBKSLYGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.73%

7.18%

+1.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.41%

13.05%

+2.36%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

24.44%

22.19%

+2.25%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.49%

21.58%

+1.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.80%

22.72%

+0.08%