VBR vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBR returned 10.58%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for EEM. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

VBR vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 12.11% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 29.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VBR having a 10.58% annualized return and EEM not far behind at 10.06%.

VBR

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 12.11%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 16.59%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

EEM

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 10.40%
• YTD: 29.41%
• 6M: 32.25%
• 1Y: 58.14%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 7.47%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

VBR vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	12.11%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	29.41%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and EEM is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.68

The correlation between VBR and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VBR vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VBR	EEM
Industrials	18.1%	6.2%
Financial Services	17.6%	17.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	8.1%
Technology	10.6%	43.6%
Real Estate	10.1%	0.9%
Healthcare	7.9%	2.5%
Basic Materials	6.3%	6.1%
Energy	5.2%	3.3%
Utilities	4.8%	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	2.7%
Communication Services	2.5%	5.7%

Return for Risk

VBR vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 56
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

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 84
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.93	-1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.75	-1.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.53	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	4.39	-1.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	16.94	-5.99
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. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is lower than the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR and EEM, 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	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.93	-1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.40	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.49	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.38	+0.03

Drawdowns

VBR vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-66.43%	+4.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-13.52%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	-17.29%	-6.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-37.71%	+13.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	-39.82%	-5.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-16.02%	+7.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	3.50%	-1.00%

Volatility

VBR vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is 4.07%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.36%. This indicates that VBR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBR	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	8.36%	-4.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	17.36%	-6.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	19.93%	-4.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.77%	18.91%	+0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.74%	20.50%	+1.24%

VBR vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBR has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBR vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than EEM's 1.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.72%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.75%	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 EEM in my portfolio?

VBR and EEM have a correlation of 0.54, 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 EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to VBR (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which ETF is better, VBR or EEM?

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 10.58% vs 10.06% for EEM. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBR has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBR or EEM?

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 10.58% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBR or EEM?

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBR or EEM?

VBR has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 1.72% for EEM.

What is the main difference between VBR and EEM?

VBR is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBR and 0.72% for EEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 1.84), 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.