VIOO vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VIOO (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIOO is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIOO returned 10.77%/yr vs 11.86%/yr for VBK. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIOO charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBK.

Performance

VIOO vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIOO achieves a 16.37% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 18.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VIOO has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 10.77%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.86% annualized return.

VIOO

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.63%
• YTD: 16.37%
• 6M: 16.85%
• 1Y: 34.98%
• 3Y*: 14.74%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

VBK

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 6.15%
• YTD: 18.67%
• 6M: 19.38%
• 1Y: 36.00%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 6.14%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

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

VIOO vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF	16.37%	6.04%	8.48%	16.16%	-16.26%	26.79%	11.47%	22.68%	-8.65%	13.16%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	18.67%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between VIOO and VBK is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.87

The correlation between VIOO and VBK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIOO vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIOO	VBK
Financial Services	16.9%	5.6%
Industrials	15.5%	24.7%
Technology	15.5%	25.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	9.6%
Healthcare	11.0%	15.3%
Real Estate	7.7%	3.9%
Energy	5.9%	4.8%
Basic Materials	5.1%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	2.4%
Utilities	2.0%	1.2%

Return for Risk

VIOO vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIOO

VIOO Risk / Return Rank: 64
VIOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VIOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VIOO Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VIOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VIOO Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VIOO vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

	VIOO	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.89	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.58	+0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.93	3.19	+0.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.17	12.19	+0.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIOO vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOO and VBK, 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

	VIOO	VBK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	1.89	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.26	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.52	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.43	+0.14

Drawdowns

VIOO vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOO drawdown since its inception was -44.15%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOO and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOO	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.15%	-58.68%	+14.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.77%	-11.44%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.93%	-27.54%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-38.39%	+10.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.15%	-38.70%	-5.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	0.00%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-10.16%	+2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	2.99%	-0.37%

Volatility

VIOO vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) is 4.40%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 5.20%. This indicates that VIOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOO	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	5.20%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	14.62%	-2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	19.17%	-1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.40%	23.48%	-2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.99%	22.86%	+0.13%

VIOO vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.07% 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

VIOO vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

VIOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than VBK's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.44%	0.54%	0.54%	0.68%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.82%	1.08%	0.98%
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF	1.17%	1.36%	1.48%	1.47%	1.51%	1.16%	1.09%	1.37%	1.32%	1.11%	1.06%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIOO and VBK in my portfolio?

VIOO and VBK have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIOO or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to VIOO (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOO dropped -44.15% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, VIOO or VBK?

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.86% vs 10.77% for VIOO. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VIOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIOO or VBK?

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.86% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIOO or VBK?

VBK is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VIOO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIOO or VBK?

VIOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.44% for VBK.

What is the main difference between VIOO and VBK?

VIOO is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. VIOO tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VIOO and 0.07% for VBK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.89), 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.