VGT vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VGT returned 24.81%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VGT vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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, VGT achieves a 22.48% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VGT has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 24.81%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 13.19% annualized return.

VGT

• 1D: -6.14%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 22.48%
• 6M: 20.33%
• 1Y: 49.26%
• 3Y*: 30.47%
• 5Y*: 20.48%
• 10Y*: 24.81%

BRK-B

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: -2.89%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 13.55%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

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

VGT vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	22.48%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.89%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VGT and BRK-B is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.44

The correlation between VGT and BRK-B shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VGT vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 63
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 56

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 38
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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.

	VGT	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	-0.01	+2.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	0.09	+2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.01	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	-0.01	+3.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	-0.03	+9.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGT vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGT 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

	VGT	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	-0.01	+2.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.63	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.01	0.68	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.48	+0.18

Drawdowns

VGT vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, roughly equal to the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGT	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-53.86%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-9.42%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.23%	-14.95%	-12.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.07%	-26.58%	-8.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	-29.57%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	-9.57%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.95%	-11.07%	+3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.15%	4.47%	+0.68%

Volatility

VGT vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a higher volatility of 9.29% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 4.08%. This indicates that VGT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGT	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.29%	4.08%	+5.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.37%	10.87%	+6.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.51%	14.39%	+7.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.31%	17.13%	+8.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	19.43%	+5.25%

Dividends

VGT vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.33%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VGT and BRK-B have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGT or BRK-B?

VGT has higher volatility (9.29%) compared to BRK-B (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGT dropped -54.63% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs -0.01), 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.