VBK vs. UG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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 11.74%/yr vs -3.55%/yr for UG. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VBK vs. UG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and United-Guardian, Inc. (UG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VBK having a 17.41% return and UG slightly higher at 17.59%. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed UG with an annualized return of 11.74%, while UG has yielded a comparatively lower -3.55% annualized return.

VBK

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 17.41%
• 6M: 16.96%
• 1Y: 32.77%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 5.68%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

UG

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -5.92%
• YTD: 17.59%
• 6M: 25.10%
• 1Y: -8.70%
• 3Y*: -0.77%
• 5Y*: -11.15%
• 10Y*: -3.55%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBK vs. UG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	17.41%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%
UG United-Guardian, Inc.	17.59%	-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 0.04, 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	0.04
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 Feb 2, 2004	0.09

Return for Risk

VBK vs. UG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 51
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 60

UG

UG Risk / Return Rank: 31
UG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
UG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
UG Omega Ratio Rank: 28
UG Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
UG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. 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.

	VBK	UG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	-0.24	+1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	-0.11	+2.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	0.99	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	-0.22	+3.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.98	-0.37	+11.35
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. UG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the UG Sharpe Ratio of -0.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and UG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBK	UG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	-0.24	+1.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	-0.24	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	-0.09	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.07	+0.36

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBK	UG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-66.37%	+65.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-36.55%	+26.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	23.56%	-20.57%

Volatility

VBK vs. UG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is 5.37%, while United-Guardian, Inc. (UG) has a volatility of 9.99%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	VBK	UG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	9.99%	-4.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.62%	23.78%	-9.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.21%	36.13%	-16.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.48%	46.20%	-22.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	41.48%	-18.62%

Dividends

VBK vs. UG - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than UG's 7.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UG United-Guardian, Inc.	7.15%	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

Can I hold both VBK and UG in my portfolio?

VBK and UG have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBK or UG?

UG has higher volatility (9.99%) compared to VBK (5.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs UG's -83.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs -0.24), 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.