VNQI vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VNQI (Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VNQI returned 2.74%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) 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, VNQI achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQI has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 2.74%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

VNQI

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -3.12%
• YTD: -0.33%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 5.87%
• 3Y*: 8.59%
• 5Y*: -1.50%
• 10Y*: 2.74%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -0.22%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	-0.33%	21.38%	-2.22%	6.99%	-22.94%	5.93%	-7.22%	21.59%	-9.44%	26.91%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.67%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQI and BRK-B is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2010	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between VNQI and BRK-B has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VNQI vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNQI

VNQI Risk / Return Rank: 16
VNQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VNQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VNQI Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VNQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VNQI Martin Ratio Rank: 15

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) 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.

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.

	VNQI	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	-0.02	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	0.08	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.01	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.40	-0.02	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.13	-0.05	+1.18

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQI Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQI 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.

Drawdowns

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQI drawdown since its inception was -38.35%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQI and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQI	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.35%	-53.86%	+15.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.78%	-9.42%	-5.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-14.95%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.55%	-26.58%	-8.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.35%	-29.57%	-8.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.99%	-9.36%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-11.07%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.19%	4.53%	+0.66%

Volatility

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.95%. This indicates that VNQI'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

	VNQI	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	3.95%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.75%	10.78%	+0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.73%	14.38%	-0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.54%	17.12%	-1.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.07%	19.44%	-3.37%

Dividends

VNQI vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VNQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, 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%
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	4.72%	4.70%	5.16%	3.74%	0.57%	6.48%	0.93%	7.58%	4.62%	3.86%	5.18%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VNQI and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNQI or BRK-B?

VNQI has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQI dropped -38.35% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.43 vs -0.02), 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.