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 12.03%/yr vs -3.24%/yr for UG. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
VBK vs. UG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 16.76% return, which is significantly lower than UG's 21.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed UG with an annualized return of 12.03%, while UG has yielded a comparatively lower -3.24% annualized return.
VBK
- 1D
- -1.56%
- 1M
- 1.50%
- YTD
- 16.76%
- 6M
- 13.90%
- 1Y
- 30.40%
- 3Y*
- 17.58%
- 5Y*
- 4.59%
- 10Y*
- 12.03%
UG
- 1D
- 2.86%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 21.12%
- 6M
- 22.00%
- 1Y
- -6.64%
- 3Y*
- 0.10%
- 5Y*
- -9.36%
- 10Y*
- -3.24%
VBK vs. UG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 16.76% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
UG United-Guardian, Inc. | 21.12% | -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 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 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 | +1.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.00 | +0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.67 | -0.17 | +2.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.99 | -0.28 | +10.27 |
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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% | -39.73% | +28.29% |
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 | -1.61% | -65.36% | +63.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.13% | -36.59% | +26.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 24.09% | -21.04% |
Volatility
VBK vs. UG - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 7.13% compared to United-Guardian, Inc. (UG) at 4.82%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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 | 7.13% | 4.82% | +2.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.65% | 23.66% | -8.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.10% | 35.97% | -15.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.63% | 46.19% | -22.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.91% | 41.48% | -18.57% |
Dividends
VBK vs. UG - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than UG's 6.94% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UG United-Guardian, Inc. | 6.94% | 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 | 0.45% | 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 UG have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBK has higher volatility (7.13%) compared to UG (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs UG's -83.33%.
VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs -0.19), 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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