VBR vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) is Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VBR returned 10.50%/yr vs 13.14%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VBR vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 11.45% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VBR has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 10.50%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.14% annualized return.

VBR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 12.14%
• 1Y: 24.85%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 7.78%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

BRK-B

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: -3.11%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -1.32%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

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

VBR vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.45%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-3.11%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and BRK-B is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between VBR and BRK-B has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VBR vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 61

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 35
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

VBR vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	VBR	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	-0.09	+1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	-0.03	+2.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.00	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	-0.14	+2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.94	-0.30	+10.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBR vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR and BRK-B, 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

	VBR	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	-0.09	+1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.65	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.68	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.48	-0.07

Drawdowns

VBR vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-53.86%	-8.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-9.42%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	-14.95%	-9.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-26.58%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	-29.57%	-15.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-9.78%	+8.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-11.07%	+2.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	4.49%	-1.98%

Volatility

VBR vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is 3.67%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 3.98%. This indicates that VBR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBR	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	3.98%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	10.87%	-0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.16%	14.38%	+0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.77%	17.13%	+2.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.74%	19.44%	+2.30%

Dividends

VBR vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBR and BRK-B in my portfolio?

VBR and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBR or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to VBR (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs -0.09), 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.