VBR vs. VTV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBR returned 10.67%/yr vs 12.46%/yr for VTV. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTV.

Performance

VBR vs. VTV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 18.17% return, which is significantly higher than VTV's 16.93% return. Over the past 10 years, VBR has underperformed VTV with an annualized return of 10.67%, while VTV has yielded a comparatively higher 12.46% annualized return.

VBR

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 11.26%
• YTD: 18.17%
• 1Y: 29.28%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 10.29%
• 10Y*: 10.67%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

VTV

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 0.83%
• 6M: 10.86%
• YTD: 16.93%
• 1Y: 28.55%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: 12.46%
• ALL TIME*: 9.69%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	$57.38M	$55.84M	$67.82M
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	$655.54M	$670.79M	$624.45M

VBR vs. VTV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	18.17%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	16.93%	15.27%	15.95%	9.32%	-2.09%	26.53%	2.33%	25.66%	-5.47%	17.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and VTV is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.89

The correlation between VBR and VTV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBR vs. VTV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VBR	VTV
Financial Services	17.5%	22.4%
Industrials	17.3%	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	3.9%
Real Estate	11.1%	2.5%
Technology	10.9%	15.3%
Healthcare	8.4%	15.2%
Basic Materials	5.3%	3.0%
Utilities	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	4.3%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	8.7%
Communication Services	2.4%	2.9%

Return for Risk

VBR vs. VTV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 84
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VTV

VTV Risk / Return Rank: 94
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VBR vs. VTV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and Vanguard Value ETF (VTV). 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.

	VBR	VTV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.79	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.98	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.51	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	4.52	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.14	17.46	-5.32

VBR vs. VTV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the VTV Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR and VTV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VBR vs. VTV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, roughly equal to the maximum VTV drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and VTV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	VTV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-59.27%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-6.35%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	-14.52%	-9.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-17.04%	-7.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	-36.78%	-8.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.89%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-7.82%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	1.64%	+0.78%

Volatility

VBR vs. VTV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a higher volatility of 3.58% compared to Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) at 2.54%. This indicates that VBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBR	VTV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	2.54%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.28%	7.73%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.86%	10.29%	+4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.57%	13.82%	+5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.67%	16.62%	+5.05%

VBR vs. VTV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBR has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VTV's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VBR vs. VTV - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, less than VTV's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.74%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	1.85%	2.05%	2.31%	2.46%	2.52%	2.15%	2.56%	2.50%	2.73%	2.29%	2.44%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBR and VTV in my portfolio?

VBR and VTV have a correlation of 0.85, 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 VTV?

VBR has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to VTV (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs VTV's -59.27%.

Which ETF is better, VBR or VTV?

On 10-year performance, VTV leads with 12.46% vs 10.67% for VBR. On fees, VTV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VTV has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBR or VTV?

Over the 10-year period, VTV has performed better with a 12.46% return vs 10.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBR or VTV?

VTV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VBR.

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

VTV has the higher dividend yield at 1.85%, compared with 1.74% for VBR.

What is the main difference between VBR and VTV?

VBR is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VTV is Large Cap Value Equities. VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while VTV tracks CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBR and 0.04% for VTV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 1.98), 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.