VBK vs. UG
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) is Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while UG (United-Guardian, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 10.92%/yr vs -1.57%/yr for UG. Their 0.09 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
VBK vs. UG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 14.98% return, which is significantly lower than UG's 24.32% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed UG with an annualized return of 10.92%, while UG has yielded a comparatively lower -1.57% annualized return.
VBK
- 1D
- 1.81%
- 1M
- -3.14%
- 6M
- 10.32%
- YTD
- 14.98%
- 1Y
- 25.41%
- 3Y*
- 15.04%
- 5Y*
- 4.55%
- 10Y*
- 10.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.83%
UG
- 1D
- 0.99%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- 6M
- -0.28%
- YTD
- 24.32%
- 1Y
- -4.39%
- 3Y*
- 2.43%
- 5Y*
- -9.26%
- 10Y*
- -1.57%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $118.38K | $78.09K | $54.23K | |
| $70.46M | $72.06M | $83.50M |
VBK vs. UG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 14.98% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
UG United-Guardian, Inc. | 24.32% | -31.67% | 40.56% | -30.22% | -33.44% | 22.24% | -23.31% | 13.20% | 4.98% | 25.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBK and UG is 0.08, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.07 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.09 |
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Return for Risk
VBK vs. UG — Risk / Return Rank
VBK
UG
VBK vs. UG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and United-Guardian, Inc. (UG). 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 | UG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.01 | +0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.23 | -0.12 | +2.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.52 | -0.22 | +7.75 |
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Drawdowns
VBK vs. UG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, smaller than the maximum UG drawdown of -83.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and UG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBK | UG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.68% | -83.33% | +24.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.44% | -35.33% | +23.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.54% | -62.47% | +34.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.39% | -76.06% | +37.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | -76.06% | +37.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.22% | -64.45% | +59.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.10% | -36.68% | +26.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 19.59% | -16.20% |
Volatility
VBK vs. UG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is 5.46%, while United-Guardian, Inc. (UG) has a volatility of 13.14%. This indicates that VBK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBK | UG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 13.14% | -7.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.90% | 24.28% | -8.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.39% | 34.32% | -13.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.67% | 46.41% | -22.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.92% | 41.58% | -18.66% |
Dividends
VBK vs. UG - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than UG's 7.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UG United-Guardian, Inc. | 7.72% | 9.74% | 6.28% | 1.39% | 6.51% | 6.87% | 5.42% | 5.60% | 5.73% | 4.97% | 4.84% | 5.22% |
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 UG have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UG has higher volatility (13.14%) compared to VBK (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs UG's -83.33%.
VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs -0.13), 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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