VOO vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.23%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VOO vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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, VOO achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 15.23%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 13.19% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 25.87%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

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)

VOO vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
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 VOO and BRK-B is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between VOO and BRK-B has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VOO vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 66
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	-0.01	+2.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	0.09	+2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.01	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	-0.01	+2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	-0.03	+13.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

	VOO	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	-0.01	+2.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.63	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.68	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.48	+0.39

Drawdowns

VOO vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-53.86%	+19.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-9.42%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-14.95%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-26.58%	+2.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-29.57%	-4.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.90%	-9.57%	+6.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-11.07%	+7.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	4.47%	-2.55%

Volatility

VOO vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.74%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 4.08%. This indicates that VOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	4.08%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.30%	10.87%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	14.39%	-2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	17.13%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	19.43%	-1.41%

Dividends

VOO vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VOO and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to VOO (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 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.